to go or come back, as to a former place, position, or state

to return from abroad; to return to public office; to return to work.

to revert to a former owner

The money I gave him returns to me in the event of his death.

to revert or recur, as in thought, discourse, etc.

He returned to his story.

to make a reply or retort

She returned with a witty sally.

to put, bring, take, give, or send back to the original place, position, etc.

to return a book to a shelf; to return a child to her mother; to return the switch to off position.

to send or give back in reciprocation, recompense, or requital

to return evil for good.

to reciprocate, repay, or react to (something sent, given, done, etc.) with something similar

to return the enemy's fire; to return a favor.

Law .

to give to a judge or official (a statement or a writ of actions done).

to render (a verdict, decision, etc.).

to reflect (light, sound, etc.).

to yield (a profit, revenue, etc.), as in return for labor, expenditure, or investment.

to report or announce officially

to return a list of members.

to elect, as to a legislative body

The voters returned him to office by a landslide.

Military . to put (a weapon) back into its holder.

Cards . to respond to (a suit led) by a similar lead

She returned diamonds.

to turn back or in the reverse direction, as a served ball in tennis.

Chiefly Architecture . to cause to turn or proceed in a different direction from the previous line of direction; reverse

to return a cornice at each end of a façade.

the act or fact of returning as by going or coming back or bringing, sending, or giving back

We should appreciate your return of the book immediately.

a recurrence

the return of the moon each month.

reciprocation, repayment, or requital

profits in return for outlay.

response or reply.

a person or thing that is returned

returns of mill goods.

the gain realized on an exchange of goods.

Often, returns. a yield or profit, as from labor, land, business, or investment

He received a quick return on his money.

Also called tax return. a statement, on an officially prescribed form, of income, deductions, exemptions, etc., and taxes due.

Usually, returns. an official or unofficial report on a count of votes, candidates elected, etc.

election returns.

Chiefly British . return ticket ( def. 2 ) .

Architecture .

the continuation of a molding, projection, etc., in a different direction.

a side or part that falls away from the front of any straight or flat member or area.

a tablelike extension attached at a right angle to a desk at typing height, for holding a typewriter, computer, etc.

a key or lever on a typewriter or other business machine that returns the carriage to the extreme right, or the typing element to the extreme left, for the beginning of a new line.

Computers . See under carriage return ( def. 2 ) .

Sports .

the act of returning a ball.

the ball that is returned.

Football . a runback of a kick, intercepted pass, or fumble recovery.

Economics . yield per unit as compared to the cost per unit involved in a specific industrial process.

Law .

the bringing or sending back of various documents, such as a writ, summons, or subpoena, with a brief written report usually endorsed upon it, by a sheriff, to the court from which it issued.

a certified document by a great variety of officers, as assessors, collectors, and election officers.

the report or certificate endorsed in such documents.

Cards . a lead that responds to a partner's lead.

Theater . a flat or drapery parallel to the tormentor for masking the offstage area and often completing the downstage part of a set.

returns,

merchandise shipped back to a supplier from a retailer or distributor as unsold or unsalable.

merchandise returned to a retailer by a consumer.

of or pertaining to a return or returning

a return trip.

sent, given, or done in return

a return shot.

done or occurring again

a return engagement of the opera.

noting a person or thing that is returned or returning to a place

return cargo.

changing in direction; doubling or returning on itself

a return twist in a road.

used for returning, recirculating, etc.

the return road; a return pipe.

(of a game) played in order to provide the loser of an earlier game with the opportunity to win from the same opponent

return match.

adequate, necessary, or provided to enable the return of a mailed package or letter to its sender

return postage guaranteed; return address; return envelope.

noun

departure , leave , debt , payment , question , request

verb

depart , leave , keep , take , pay , ask , request

noun

acknowledgment , answer , appearance , arrival , coming , entrance , entry , homecoming , occurrence , reaction , reappearance , rebound , recoil , recoiling , recompense , recompensing , recovery , recrudescence , recurrence , reestablishment , reinstatement , rejoinder , reoccurrence , replacement , repossession , restitution , restoration , restoring , retreat , reversion , revisitation , accrual , accruement , advantage , avail , compensation , gain , gate , income , interest , lucre , proceeds , profit , reciprocation , reimbursement , reparation , repayment , requital , results , retaliation , revenue , reward , take * , takings , yield , antiphon , comeback , reply , respond , response , retort , riposte , account , form , list , record , report , statement , tabulation , earnings , atavism , rebate , reciprocity , recursion , redress , regress , relapse , repatriation , retribution

verb

back up , bounce back , circle back , come again , come back , double back , go again , hark back to , move back , react , reappear , rebound , recoil , reconsider , recrudesce , recur , reel back , reenter , reexamine , reoccur , repair , repeat , retire , retrace steps , retreat , revert , revisit , revolve , rotate , turn , bestow , carry back , convey , give , hand back , make restitution , pay back , put back , rebate , reciprocate , recompense , reestablish , refund , reimburse , reinsert , reinstate , remit , render , repay , replace , requite , reseat , restitute , restore , retaliate , roll back , send , take back , thrust back , toss back , transmit , bring in , cash in on , clean up * , clear * , make , make a killing , net , pay , pay dividend , pay off , score , show profit , yield , announce , arrive at , come in , come to , communicate , declare , deliver , pass , rejoin , reply , report , respond , retort , state , submit , go back , give back , reintroduce , renew , revive , riposte , clear , draw , earn , gain , gross , produce , realize , hand down