1
: a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion
… every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials.—
D. K. Shipler
D. K. Shipler2
: a sharp violent reaction
kicked back; kicking back; kicks back
: to assume a relaxed position or attitude
also
: to spend time relaxing : take it easy
spent the weekend just kicking back
Examples of kickback in a Sentence
Noun
Several company executives were accused of accepting kickbacks.
Verb
I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television.
a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Blackman was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to make false statements in connection with healthcare matters, according to the Department of Justice.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 May 2026
People Staff, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
But once that stupendous on-screen chemistry between co-stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen kicks back in, the old magic shines through, strong as ever, giving us a fitting end to this beloved comic saga.
—ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kickback
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Noun
Travel bloggers who endorse points-earning credit cards and then take a generous kickback from the credit card company while offering misleading advice.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Blackman was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to make false statements in connection with healthcare matters, according to the Department of Justice.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Verb
Riley Green kicks back at Heydude's new store in Austin to shop for new summer kicks.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
But once that stupendous on-screen chemistry between co-stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen kicks back in, the old magic shines through, strong as ever, giving us a fitting end to this beloved comic saga.
—ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kickback
Cite this Entry
“Kickback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickback. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickback
1 of 2 noun
kick·back
ˈkik-ˌbak 
: a secret return of part of a sum of money received
kick back
2 of 2 verbLegal Definition
kickback
noun
kick·back
ˈkik-ˌbak
: a payment (as of money or property) made to one in a position to open up or control a source of income for the payor
convicted of receiving kickbacks for referrals
compare bribe, payoff
Note: A kickback is specifically a payment for income received or to be received. The word is usually not restricted to a return of funds.
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