plural rebounds
1
: the act of bouncing back after hitting something
The fielder caught the ball on the rebound off the wall. [=caught the ball when it rebounded off the wall]
2
: a ball, puck, etc., that bounces back after hitting something
He caught/grabbed the rebound.
3
basketball
: the act of catching the ball after a shot has missed going in the basket
He led the league in rebounds last year.
4
: an increase or improvement after a decrease or decline
There has been a recent rebound in stock prices.
rebounds; rebounded; rebounding
1
: to bounce back off something after hitting it
The baseball rebounded off the wall.
2
: to increase or improve after a recent decrease or decline
Share prices are rebounding.
She rebounded quickly from the loss.
He is rebounding [=recovering] from the injury well.
3
basketball
: to catch the ball after a shot has missed going in the basket
She is good at both shooting and rebounding.
He rebounded the ball and quickly passed it to a teammate.
Cite this Entry
“Rebound.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/rebound. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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