Return | Mean of return in English Dictionary

/rɪˈtɚn/

• Verb
• to come or go to a place again
1. We waited for you to return.
2. She is returning home tomorrow.
3. I'm leaving but will return at 2 p.m.
4. She left home never to return. [=she never went home again]
5. No one was home when I returned from work.
6. He returned from his trip last night.
7. I returned to Paris 10 years later.
8. The bird returns to this area each spring.
9. He returned to find the house empty. [=he returned and found that the house was empty]
• to bring, give, send, or take (something) to the place that it came from or the place where it should go
1. I have to return a book to the library.
2. I'm returning your ladder. Thanks for letting me borrow it.
3. Return [=bring] this application to me when you have filled it out.
4. Please fill out the application and return [=send] it to the address below.
5. She returned the gun to its holster. [=she put the gun in its holster]
• to bring or send (something that you bought) to the place that it came from because it does not work or fit properly, because it is damaged, etc.
1. The dishes were broken when they were delivered, so I had to return them.
2. I had to return the shirt and get a bigger size.

• to bring (empty bottles or cans) to a place that collects them so that they can be used again
1. I'm going to return these bottles and cans (for recycling).
• to happen or exist again
1. The pain returned [=recurred, came back] about two hours after I took the pill.
2. His jealousy returned when he saw his ex-wife with her new husband.
3. Hope has returned to the city. [=the city's people are hopeful again]
• to respond to (something) in the same way
1. He smiled at her, and she returned the smile. [=she smiled at him]
2. When I told her that she looked beautiful, she returned [=repaid] the compliment by saying that I looked very handsome.
3. He never returned my phone calls. [=he did not call me back]
4. Thanks for helping me. I'll be sure to return the favor. [=I will help you when you need help]
5. When the suspect started shooting, the police were forced to return fire. [=to shoot back at the suspect]
• to make an official report of (a decision or order)
1. The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
• to hit back (a ball that was hit to you)
1. He returned her serve.
2. Her serve is difficult to return.
• to run with the ball after getting it because of a kick, fumble, etc.
1. He returned the ball/kick 50 yards.
• to elect (someone) to office
1. He was returned to Parliament.
2. She was returned as prime minister.
• to produce or earn (something, such as a profit or loss)
1. The investment returned a huge profit.
2. bonds that return [=yield] five percent annually
• to go to (a place where you work, study, etc.) again after being away for a time
1. When do you return to school?
2. She hopes to return to the office next week.
• to start doing or using (something) again especially after a long time
1. She hopes to return to work [=to start working again] next week.
2. She hopes to return to working at home next week.
3. He returned to the old ways of farming.
• to start an activity again that relates to (something)
1. He returned to his book [=he started reading his book again] after feeding the cat.
2. Let's return to your first question. [=let's discuss the first question you asked earlier]
3. He returned to football not as a player but as a coach.
• to change back to (an earlier or original condition or state)
1. She soon returned [=reverted] to her old habits.
2. His breathing returned to normal. [=his breathing became normal again]
• Noun
• the act of coming or going back to the place you started from or to a place where you were before
1. We are looking forward to your return.
2. We're looking forward to our return to Europe.
3. What is the date of her return from Mexico? [=when is she coming back from Mexico?]
4. Upon/on his return [=(less formally) when he returned; when he came back], he found a note taped to the door.
5. The bad weather delayed his return home. [=his return to his home]
6. I stopped by your house on my return home. [=on my way home]
7. She became sick on her return from America. [=she became sick at the time she returned from America]
• the act of going back to an activity, job, situation, etc.
1. The team looked forward to his return to coaching.
2. a return to the old ways of farming
3. He managed the team last year, so his return as a player [=his return to the team as a player and not as a manager] was a surprise.
• the fact that something (such as a condition, feeling, or situation) happens again
1. the return of peace to the region
2. Scientists noticed a return [=recurrence] of the disease in the monkeys.
3. She noticed a return of his old habits.
4. the return of spring
• the fact that someone or something changes to a condition or state that existed before
1. the department's return to normal
2. The people celebrated their leader's return to power.
• the act of taking someone or something back to the proper place
1. The police arranged for the return of the stolen goods. [=for the goods to be taken to the place they were stolen from]
2. The mother demanded a safe return of her child. [=demanded that her child would be brought back to her and not be hurt]
• something that is brought or sent back to a store or business because it does not work or fit properly, is damaged, is not needed, etc.
1. The store does not accept returns more than 30 days after purchase.
• empty cans or bottles that are brought back to a store so that they can be used again
• the profit from an investment or business
1. Investors are promised a return.
2. The company had poor returns last year.
3. He received a large return on his investment. [=he made a lot of money on his investment]
4. The stock has had a high rate of return.
5. Her son's success in college was an excellent return on her investment.
6. She expected some return from the company for all her years of loyal service.
• a report of the results of voting
1. election returns
• a report that you send to the government about the money that you have earned and the taxes that you have paid in one year
1. He has copies of his returns for the last 15 years.
2. We filed our (income) tax return. [=we sent our tax return to the government]
3. He filed his 2007 tax return in February of 2008.
• the act of returning a ball
1. (tennis) She hit a powerful return. [=she hit back the ball that was served to her very hard]
2. (American football) a 50-yard kickoff/punt/fumble return [=a 50-yard run with the ball after getting it on a kickoff/punt/fumble]
• a ticket for a trip that takes you to a place and back to the place you started from
1. One return is often less expensive than buying two one-way tickets.
2. a day return [=a reduced-price ticket for traveling to a place and back on the same day]
• immediately by mail
1. I replied by return of post.
2. I wrote you by return.
• in payment or exchange
1. He helps out and expects nothing in return.
2. He will not help unless he gets something in return.
3. The prisoner told the police who had ordered the killing. In return, his sentence was reduced by two years.
4. I will lend you the money in return for a favor.
5. He worked in return for a free meal.
• used in or taken for returning to a place
1. a return flight/trip
2. the return road
3. a return envelope [=an envelope that has an address on it and that you can use to mail something back to the person who sent it to you]
• happening or done for the second time
1. a return visit
• used or paying for a trip that takes you to a place and back to the place you started from
1. a return [=(US) round-trip] ticket/fare