returned; returning; returns
intransitive verb
1
a
: to go back or come back again
return home
b
: to go back in thought, practice, or condition : REVERT
2
: to pass back to an earlier possessor
3
: 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
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
also : to respond to in kind
returned his calls
b
: to give back to the owner
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
b
: a regular or frequent returning : RECURRENCE
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
especially returns plural : unsold publications returned to the publisher for cash 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
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
Phrases
in return
: in reciprocation, compensation, or repayment
Synonyms
Verb
- replace
- restore
Noun
- answer
- comeback
- rejoinder
- replication
- reply
- response
- retort
See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Example Sentences
VerbWe waited for you to return.She is returning home tomorrow.I’m leaving but will return at 2 p.m.See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Brian Walshe is being held without bail and is set to return to court on Feb. 9.—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2023He was ordered held without bond and is due to return to court on Feb. 9.—Fox News, 18 Jan. 2023See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘return.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of return was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century
Phrases Containing return
