returned; returning; returns
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.
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
4
: to bring in (profit) : yield
5
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
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
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
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:
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
re·turner
(ˈ)rē+
: one that helps fasten metal bands around bales of cotton by turning ends of bands under the bales as they come through the press
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 (1)
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
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
The impact was felt almost immediately as his replacement, Mitchell Robinson, committed a flagrant foul that allowed San Antonio to return the favor with a six-point sequence, stretching the lead back to double digits.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2026
After another solid season in 2021, injuries and sub-par play eventually led to an exit from the NFL, but Robinson has made a pretty formidable case for a return with his play in his UFL debut campaign.
—Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for return
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
In a Week 14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith recovered a fumble and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown — the fifth-longest fumble return in franchise history.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
The impact was felt almost immediately as his replacement, Mitchell Robinson, committed a flagrant foul that allowed San Antonio to return the favor with a six-point sequence, stretching the lead back to double digits.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Noun
The official also made clear that Iran will not be getting any monetary compensation in return.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2026
After another solid season in 2021, injuries and sub-par play eventually led to an exit from the NFL, but Robinson has made a pretty formidable case for a return with his play in his UFL debut campaign.
—Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 12 June 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
See All Example Sentences for return
Cite this Entry
“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/return. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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 noun1
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 adjective1
: 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.
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 noun1
a
: the delivery of a court order (as a writ) to the proper officer or court
b
2
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
U.S. Constitution art. I5
: 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)
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