return

1 of 3

verb

re·​turn ri-ˈtərn 

returned; returning; returns

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go back or come back again

return home

The birds return to this area every spring.

b

: to go back in thought, practice, or condition : revert

Now, to return to my story.

2

: to pass back to an earlier possessor

3

: to happen or exist again

The pain returned.

4

: reply, retort

transitive verb

1

a

: to give (something, such as an official account) to a superior

b

British : to elect (a candidate) as attested by official report or returns

c

: to bring back (something, such as a writ or verdict) to an office or tribunal

2

a

: to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place

The shirt didn't fit, so I returned it to the store.

b

: to restore to a former or to a normal state

3

a

: to send back : visit

—usually used with on or upon

b

obsolete : retort

4

: to bring in (profit) : yield

5

a

: to give or perform in return : repay

return a compliment

I smiled, and the baby returned the smile.

also : to respond to in kind

returned his calls

b

: to give back to the owner

returned the book I borrowed

c

: reflect

return an echo

6

: to cause (something, such as a wall) to continue in a different direction (as at a right angle)

7

: to lead (a specified suit or specified card of a suit) in response to a partner's earlier lead

8

a

: to hit back (a ball or shuttlecock)

b

: to run with (a football) after a change of possession (as by a punt or a fumble)

returner noun

return

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the act of coming back to or from a place or condition

We awaited his return.

the return of her health

a return to power

b

: a regular or frequent returning : recurrence

the return of winter

c

: the act of taking someone or something back to the proper place

Police arranged the return of the stolen items.

They demanded the safe return of the hostages.

2

a(1)

: the delivery of a legal order (such as a writ) to the proper officer or court

(2)

: an endorsed certificate stating an official's action in the execution of such an order

(3)

: the sending back of a commission with the certificate of the commissioners

b

: an account or formal report

c(1)

: a report of the results of balloting

—usually used in plural

election returns

(2)

: an official declaration of the election of a candidate

(3)

chiefly British : election

d(1)

: a formal statement on a required legal form showing taxable income, allowable deductions and exemptions, and the computation of the tax due

(2)

: a list of taxable property

3

a

: the continuation usually at a right angle of the face or of a member of a building or of a molding or group of moldings

b

: a means for conveying something (such as water) back to its starting point

4

a

: a quantity of goods, consignment, or cargo coming back in exchange for goods sent out as a mercantile venture

b

: the value of or profit from such venture

c(1)

: the profit from labor, investment, or business : yield

(2)

returns plural : results

d

: the rate of profit in a process of production per unit of cost

5

a

: the act of returning something to a former place, condition, or ownership : restitution

the return of stolen goods

b

: something returned: such as

(1)

returns plural : unsold publications returned to the publisher for cash or credit

(2)

returns plural : empty bottles and cans brought back to a store for reuse

(3)

: a purchased item brought back to a store for exchange, refund, or credit

6

a

: something given in repayment or reciprocation

a return on their years of hard work

b

: answer, retort

7

: an answering play: such as

a

: a lead in a suit previously led by one's partner in a card game

b

: the action or an instance of returning a ball (as in football or tennis)

8

chiefly British : round-trip

see also:

in return

return

3 of 3

adjective

1

a

: having or formed by a change of direction

a return facade

b

: doubled on itself

a return flue

2

a

: played, delivered, or given in return

return fire from the enemy

b

: taking place for the second time

a return meeting for the two champions

3

: used or taken on returning

the return road

4

: returning or permitting return

a return valve

5

: of, relating to, or causing a return to a place or condition

use the prestamped return envelope

Synonyms of return

Verb

• restore

Noun

• response
• answer
• reply

Choose the Right Synonym for return

reciprocate, retaliate, requite, return mean to give back usually in kind or in quantity.

reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received.

reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit

retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call

return good for evil

Examples of return in a Sentence

Verb

We waited for you to return.

She is returning home tomorrow.

I'm leaving but will return at 2 p.m.

I have to return a book to the library.

I'm returning your ladder. Thanks for letting me borrow it.

The dishes were broken when they were delivered, so I had to return them.

I had to return the shirt and get a bigger size.

His jealousy returned when he saw his ex-wife with her new husband.

Noun

We are looking forward to your return.

We're looking forward to our return to Europe.

The team looked forward to his return to coaching.

a return to the old ways of farming

the department's return to normal

The people celebrated their leader's return to power.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Weak onshore flows will then return Saturday, which combined with a weakening high pressure system are expected to bring five to 10 degrees of cooling to the coasts and valleys but little change across interior sections, according to the weather service. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

By Sunday, one week after the most flight cancellations, flight traffic had begun to return at some airports that were largely closed in the days after the war began. —Zach Levitt, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Noun

Others have been outspoken about the return of the Russian flag to the global stage and are defending their nation’s boycott of Friday’s opening ceremony. —Tales Azzoni, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Cooper Flagg got a pretty warm welcome in his return from injury. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Adjective

The Crew-2 astronauts, fielding questions from reporters Friday during an orbital pre-return news conference. —William Harwood, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2021

Any Jacobs: Age: Not listed on his website, and Jacobs did not return questions sent by IndyStar. —Kaitlin Lange, Indianapolis Star, 31 May 2020

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French returner, from re- + turner, tourner to turn — more at turn

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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

Adjective

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing return

• by return
• by return mail
• by return of post
• day return
• (income) tax return
• in return
• never to return
• on sale or return
• on someone's return home
• point of no return
• pre-return
• return address
• return envelope
• return fire
• return from the dead
• return game
• return match
• return someone's call
• return (someone's) fire
• return the favor
• return ticket
• return to
• return to find
• return to nature
• return to work
• safe return
• someone's return home
• upon/on someone's return

Rhymes for return

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• sunburn
• unworn
• upturn

Kids Definition

return

1 of 3 verb

re·​turn ri-ˈtərn 

1

a

: to come or go back

b

: to go back in thought or practice

returned to his old ways

2

: reply entry 1 sense 3, answer

3

: to make an official report of

the jury returned a verdict

4

British : to elect to office

5

: to bring, carry, send, or put back

return a book to the library

return borrowed money

6

: to bring in (as profit) : yield

7

a

: to give or perform in return

return a compliment

b

: to respond to in a similar way

return kindness with kindness

c

: to give back to the owner

return that lawnmower

8

a

: to hit back (as a tennis ball)

b

: to run with (a football) after the possession of the ball changes from one team to the other (as by a fumble or a punt)

returner noun

return

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: the act of coming back to or from a place or condition

b

: a regular or frequent occurrence : recurrence

the return of spring

2

a

: a report of the results of voting

—usually used in plural

election returns

b

: a statement of income to be taxed

a tax return

3

: a means for bringing something (as water) back to its starting point

4

: the profit from labor, investment, or business : yield

5

a

: the act of returning something to an earlier place, condition, or ownership

b

: something returned

6

: something given in payment or exchange

ask nothing in return for a favor

7

: the action or an instance of returning a ball (as in tennis or football)

return

3 of 3 adjective

1

: played or given in return

a return call

a return game

2

: used for returning

a return ticket

3

: of, relating to, or causing a return to a place or condition

a return envelope

Legal Definition

return

1 of 2 transitive verb

re·​turn

1

a

: to give (an official account or report) to a superior (as by a list or statement)

return the names of all residents in the ward

return a list of jurors

b

: to bring back (as a writ, verdict, or indictment) to an office or tribunal

the sheriff must return the execution…to the proper clerk within sixty days

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

the grand jury returned six indictments

returned a verdict of not guilty

2

: to bring in or produce (as earnings or profit) : yield

returnable adjective

return

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the delivery of a court order (as a writ) to the proper officer or court

b

: proof of service

2

: return day

3

: an account or formal report (as of an action performed or duty discharged or of facts and statistics)

census returns

especially : a set of tabulated statistics prepared for general information

—usually used in pl.

4

a

: a report of the results of balloting

election returns

b

: an official declaration of the election of a candidate

each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members

—U.S. Constitution art. I

5

: a formal document executed in accordance with law on a required form showing taxable income, allowable deductions and exemptions, and the computation of the tax due

called also tax return

6

: the profit from labor, investment, or business : yield

7

: something returned

specifically : a paper (as a check or draft) calling for payment that is returned by a bank to the clearinghouse because of a defect (as lack of funds or insufficient endorsement)