returnee

noun re·turn·ee \ ri-ˌtər-ˈnē \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Definition of returnee

: one who returns; especially : one returning to the U.S. after military service overseas

See returnee defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of returnee from the Web

Top returnees: QB Ryan Finley, WR Stephen Louis, WR Kelvin Harmon, OL Garrett Bradbury, OL Terronne Prescod, OL Tyler Jones, DB Nick McCloud, DB Tim Kidd-Glass, DB Jarius Morehead, P A.J. Cole, PK Kyle Bambard.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Despite key departures, NC State is No. 47 in 2018 preseason college football rankings," 11 July 2018
Both are expected to play significant roles along with returnees Remy Martin, Romello White, Mickey Mitchell, Kimani Lawrence, Vitaliy Shibel and De’Quon Lake.

— doug haller, azcentral, "ASU basketball coach Bobby Hurley dishes on Sun Devils' 2018 roster," 10 July 2018
People weren’t ready for the Vietnam returnees but now everyone is so appreciative.

— maya moore, Courant Community, "Courtney Hosts Ceremony To Present Military Medals to Vietnam Veteran In Niantic," 6 July 2018
From retaining signees to familiarizing himself with returnees, to hiring a staff, touring Spain and leading the Bulldogs to another NCAA tournament, the coach went nonstop.

— david woods, Indianapolis Star, "A year later, LaVall Jordan has a new contract and kept the old Butler Way," 13 June 2018
The financial sector and its regulatory bodies are stacked with returnees.

— The Economist, "Turtles and seagullsWhat happens when Chinese students abroad return home," 17 May 2018
If Edwards stays in the draft, the Boilermakers will lose their top five scorers from a 30-win team — leaving Matt Haarms as the top returnee with a 4.8-point average.

— aaron beard, chicagotribune.com, "Draft deadline gone, now it's time to wait on NBA decisions," 24 Apr. 2018
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, terrorists affiliated with al Qaeda killed hundreds of people in bombings—and the country has been on the lookout for possible returnees among the Indonesians who joined Islamic State in the Middle East.

— anita rachman, WSJ, "Indonesia’s Islamic Floggings Will Move Indoors Where Kids Can’t See," 12 Apr. 2018
The Illini have 10 scholarship players on the roster for next season, with guards Trent Frazier, Da’Monte Williams and Aaron Jordan and small forward Kipper Nichols the only returnees.

— shannon ryan, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois big man Greg Eboigbodin to transfer, leaving Illini thin in the middle," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'returnee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of returnee

1944

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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RETURNEE Defined for English Language Learners

returnee

noun

Definition of returnee for English Language Learners

: someone who returns to a place or activity; especially : someone who returns to a country after being in another country in prison, in military service, etc.