rebound

1 of 2

verb

re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd 

ri-ˈbau̇nd

rebounded; rebounding; rebounds

intransitive verb

1

a

: to spring back on or as if on collision or impact with another body

b

: to recover from setback or frustration

2

: reecho

3

: to gain possession of a rebound in basketball

transitive verb

: to cause to rebound

rebounder

ˈrē-ˌbau̇n-dər 

ri-ˈbau̇n-

noun

rebound

2 of 2

noun

re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd 

ri-ˈbau̇nd

1

a

: the action of rebounding : recoil

b

: an upward leap or movement : recovery

a sharp rebound in prices

2

a

: a basketball or hockey puck that rebounds

b

: the act or an instance of gaining possession of a basketball rebound

leads the league in rebounds

3

: a reaction to setback, frustration, or crisis

on the rebound from an unhappy love affair

Synonyms

Verb

• bounce (back)
• come back
• rally
• recover
• snap back

Examples of rebound in a Sentence

Verb

The baseball rebounded off the wall.

She rebounded quickly from the loss.

She is good at both shooting and rebounding.

He rebounded the ball and quickly passed it to a teammate.

Noun

He led the league in rebounds last year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Once the market gains confidence in the foundry’s independence or ownership, the valuation will not simply rebound. —Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Rested, rebounding Bogaerts’ heroics stood this time. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

Noun

According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, those figures could even be on the low end of what’s coming, as the league’s post-pandemic revenue rebound might eclipse those forecasts and shift the cap even higher. —James Mirtle, New York Times, 22 June 2025

Teamed up with Jackie Young (19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals) and Chelsea Gray (18 points, three rebounds, three assists), Wilson and the Aces outscored the Fever 31-20 in the fourth quarter to run away with the victory. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French rebundir, from re- + Old French bondir to bound — more at bound entry 4

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rebound

• on the rebound

Rhymes for rebound

• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground

Kids Definition

rebound

1 of 2 verb

re·​bound ri-ˈbau̇nd 

1

: to spring back on hitting something

2

: to recover from a loss or disappointment

3

: to gain possession of a rebound in basketball

rebound

2 of 2 noun

re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd 

ri-ˈbau̇nd

1

: the action of rebounding : a springing back

2

a

: a basketball or hockey puck that rebounds

b

: the act of gaining possession of a basketball rebound

led the league in rebounds

3

: an immediate reaction especially to a loss or disappointment

Medical Definition

rebound

noun

re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd  ri-ˈ 

: a spontaneous reaction

especially : a return to a previous state or condition following removal of a stimulus or cessation of treatment

withdrawal of antihypertensive medication may lead to a rebound hypertensive crisis

—Emergency Medicine