What does return mean?
Definitions for return
rɪˈtɜrnre·turn
Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word return.
Princeton's WordNet
tax return, income tax return, returnnoun
document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
"his gross income was enough that he had to file a tax return"
return, homecomingnoun
a coming to or returning home
"on his return from Australia we gave him a welcoming party"
return, coming backnoun
the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
restitution, return, restoration, regainingnoun
getting something back again
"upon the restitution of the book to its rightful owner the child was given a tongue lashing"
returnnoun
the act of going back to a prior location
"they set out on their return to the base camp"
return, issue, take, takings, proceeds, yield, payoffnoun
the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
"the average return was about 5%"
recurrence, returnnoun
happening again (especially at regular intervals)
"the return of spring"
rejoinder, retort, return, riposte, replication, comeback, counternoun
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
"it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher"
return key, returnnoun
the key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed
return, paying back, getting evennoun
a reciprocal group action
"in return we gave them as good as we got"
returnnoun
a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player
"he won the point on a cross-court return"
returnnoun
(American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
reappearance, returnverb
the act of someone appearing again
"his reappearance as Hamlet has been long awaited"
returnverb
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
"return to your native land"; "the professor returned to his teaching position after serving as Dean"
render, returnverb
give back
"render money"
revert, return, retrovert, regress, turn backverb
go back to a previous state
"We reverted to the old rules"
hark back, return, come back, recallverb
go back to something earlier
"This harks back to a previous remark of his"
return, take back, bring backverb
bring back to the point of departure
returnverb
return in kind
"return a compliment"; "return her love"
returnverb
make a return
"return a kickback"
retort, come back, repay, return, riposte, rejoinverb
answer back
come back, returnverb
be restored
"Her old vigor returned"
refund, return, repay, give backverb
pay back
"Please refund me my money"
render, deliver, returnverb
pass down
"render a verdict"; "deliver a judgment"
reelect, returnverb
elect again
fall, return, pass, devolveverb
be inherited by
"The estate fell to my sister"; "The land returned to the family"; "The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead"
returnverb
return to a previous position; in mathematics
"The point returned to the interior of the figure"
render, yield, return, give, generateverb
give or supply
"The cow brings in 5 liters of milk"; "This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn"; "The estate renders some revenue for the family"
returnverb
submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority
"submit a bill to a legislative body"
Wiktionary
returnnoun
The act of returning.
"I expect the house to be spotless upon my return."
returnnoun
A return ticket.
Do you want a one-way or return?
returnnoun
An item that is returned, e.g. due to a defect.
Last year there were 250 returns of this product, an improvement on the 500 returns the year before.
returnnoun
Gain or loss from an investment.
It yielded a return of 5%.
returnnoun
A report of income submitted to a government for purposes of specifying exact tax payment amounts. A tax return.
Hand in your return by the end of the tax year.
returnnoun
A carriage return character.
returnnoun
The act of relinquishing control to the calling procedure.
returnnoun
A return value: the data passed back from a called procedure.
returnnoun
A short perpendicular extension of a desk, usually slightly lower.
returnverb
To come or go back (to a place or person).
Although the birds fly north for the summer, they return here in winter.
returnverb
To go back in thought, narration, or argument.
To return to my story...
returnverb
To turn back, retreat.
returnverb
To turn (something) round.
returnverb
To put something back where it had been.
Please return your hands to your lap.
returnverb
To give something back to its original holder or owner.
You should return the library book within one month.
returnverb
To take something back to a retailer for a refund.
If the goods don't work, you can return them.
returnverb
To bat the ball back over the net in response to a serve.
The player couldn't return the serve because it was so fast.
returnverb
To play a card as a result of another player's lead.
If one players plays a trump, the others must return a trump.
returnnoun
Catching a ball after a punt and running it back towards the opposing team.
returnnoun
A throw from a fielder to the wicket-keeper or to another fielder at the wicket.
returnverb
To throw a ball back to the wicket-keeper (or a fielder at that position) from somewhere in the field.
returnverb
To say in reply; to respond.
returnverb
To relinquish control to the calling procedure.
returnverb
To pass (data) back to the calling procedure.
This function returns the number of files in the directory.
Etymology: From returnen, retornen, from returner, from retourner, retorner, from retornare, from re- + tornare. Compare beturn.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Returnnoun
Etymology: from the verb.
The king of France so suddenly gone back!
Something since his coming forth is thought of,
That his return was now most necessary. William Shakespeare.When forc’d from hence to view our parts he mourns;
Takes little journies, and makes quick returns. Dryden.At the return of the year, the king of Syria will come up. 1 Kings xx. 22.
Weapons hardly fall under rule; yet even they have returns and vicissitudes; for ordnance was known in the city of the Oxidraces in India, and is what the Macedonians called thunder and lightning. Francis Bacon, Essays.
As for any merchandize you have bought, ye shall have your return in merchandize or gold. Francis Bacon.
As to roots accelerated in their ripening, there is the high price that those things bear, and the swiftness of their returns; for, in some grounds, a radish comes in a month, that in others will not come in two, and so make double returns. Francis Bacon.
The fruit, from many days of recreation, is very little; but from these few hours we spend in prayer, the return is great. Jeremy Taylor, Rule of Living Holy.
Within these two months, I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond. William Shakespeare.Brokers cannot have less money by them, than one twentieth part of their yearly returns. John Locke.
You made my liberty your late request,
Is no return due from a grateful breast?
I grow impatient, ’till I find some way,
Great offices, with greater to repay. Dryden.Since these are some of the returns which we made to God after obtaining our successes, can we reasonably presume, that we are in the favour of God? Francis Atterbury.
Nothing better becomes a person in a publick character, than such a publick spirit; nor is there any thing likely to procure him larger returns of esteem. Francis Atterbury.
Returns, like these, our mistress bids us make,
When from a foreign prince a gift her Britons take. Matthew Prior.Ungrateful lord!
Would’st thou invade my life, as a return
For proffer’d love? Nicholas Rowe.The other ground of God’s sole property in any thing, is the gift, or rather the return of it made by man to God. South.
This is breaking into a constitution to serve a present expedient; the remedy of an empirick, to stifle the present pain, but with certain prospect of sudden returns. Jonathan Swift.
Both these sides are not only returns, but parts of the front, and a stately tower in the midst of the front. Francis Bacon.
To Returnverb
Return him a trespass offering. 1 Sam. vi. 3.
Thy Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head. 1 Kings ii. 44.
What peace can we return,
But to our power, hostility, and hate. John Milton.When answer none return’d, I set me down. John Milton.
What counsel give ye to return answer to this people. 2 Chr.
Reject not then what offer’d means, who knows
But God hath set before us, to return thee
Home to thy country and his sacred house. John Milton, Agon.Probably one fourth part more died of the plague than are returned. John Graunt, Bills of Mortality.
Instead of a ship, he should levy money, and return the same to the treasurer for his majesty’s use. Edward Hyde.
To RETURNverb
Etymology: retourner, Fr.
Return, my son David, for I will do thee no harm. 1 Sam.
Whoso rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. Prov. xxvi.
Go, return on thy way to the wilderness. 1 Kings xix. 15.
The waters returned from off the earth continually. Gen.
Judgment shall return unto righteousness. Psalm xciv. 15.
In returning and rest shall ye be saved. Isaiah xxx. 15.
On their embattel’d ranks the waves return. John Milton.
If they returned out of bondage, it must be into a state of freedom. John Locke.
I am in blood
Stept in so far, that should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er. William Shakespeare, Macbeth.Hezekiah sent to the king of Assyria, saying, I have offended, return from me. 2 Kings xviii. 14.
To return to the business in hand, the use of a little insight in those parts of knowledge, is to accustom our minds to all sorts of ideas. John Locke.
The thing of courage,
As rouz’d with rage, with rage doth sympathize;
And with an accent tun’d in self same key,
Returns to chiding fortune. William Shakespeare, Troil. and Cressida.He said; and thus the queen of heaven return’d;
Must I, oh Jove in bloody wars contend! Alexander Pope.Thou to mankind
Be good, and friendly still, and oft return. John Milton.With the year
Seasons return, but not to me returns
Day, or the sweet approach of ev’n or morn. John Milton.If you are a malicious reader, you return upon me, that I affect to be thought more impartial than I am. Dryden.
Webster Dictionary
Returnverb
to turn back; to go or come again to the same place or condition
Returnverb
to come back, or begin again, after an interval, regular or irregular; to appear again
Returnverb
to speak in answer; to reply; to respond
Returnverb
to revert; to pass back into possession
Returnverb
to go back in thought, narration, or argument
Returnverb
to bring, carry, send, or turn, back; as, to return a borrowed book, or a hired horse
Returnverb
to repay; as, to return borrowed money
Returnverb
to give in requital or recompense; to requite
Returnverb
to give back in reply; as, to return an answer; to return thanks
Returnverb
to retort; to throw back; as, to return the lie
Returnverb
to report, or bring back and make known
Returnverb
to render, as an account, usually an official account, to a superior; to report officially by a list or statement; as, to return a list of stores, of killed or wounded; to return the result of an election
Returnverb
hence, to elect according to the official report of the election officers
Returnverb
to bring or send back to a tribunal, or to an office, with a certificate of what has been done; as, to return a writ
Returnverb
to convey into official custody, or to a general depository
Returnverb
to bat (the ball) back over the net
Returnverb
to lead in response to the lead of one's partner; as, to return a trump; to return a diamond for a club
Returnnoun
the act of returning (intransitive), or coming back to the same place or condition; as, the return of one long absent; the return of health; the return of the seasons, or of an anniversary
Returnnoun
the act of returning (transitive), or sending back to the same place or condition; restitution; repayment; requital; retribution; as, the return of anything borrowed, as a book or money; a good return in tennis
Returnnoun
that which is returned
Returnnoun
a payment; a remittance; a requital
Returnnoun
an answer; as, a return to one's question
Returnnoun
an account, or formal report, of an action performed, of a duty discharged, of facts or statistics, and the like; as, election returns; a return of the amount of goods produced or sold; especially, in the plural, a set of tabulated statistics prepared for general information
Returnnoun
the profit on, or advantage received from, labor, or an investment, undertaking, adventure, etc
Returnnoun
the continuation in a different direction, most often at a right angle, of a building, face of a building, or any member, as a molding or mold; -- applied to the shorter in contradistinction to the longer; thus, a facade of sixty feet east and west has a return of twenty feet north and south
Returnnoun
the rendering back or delivery of writ, precept, or execution, to the proper officer or court
Returnnoun
the certificate of an officer stating what he has done in execution of a writ, precept, etc., indorsed on the document
Returnnoun
the sending back of a commission with the certificate of the commissioners
Returnnoun
a day in bank. See Return day, below
Returnnoun
an official account, report, or statement, rendered to the commander or other superior officer; as, the return of men fit for duty; the return of the number of the sick; the return of provisions, etc
Returnnoun
the turnings and windings of a trench or mine
Etymology: [OE. returnen, retournen, F. retourner; pref. re- re- + tourner to turn. See Turn.]
Freebase
Return
Return is a Norwegian rock band from Stange, Hedmark. The band started in 1980, and was in its prime in the late 1980- and early 1990-. In this period they had several singles on the Norwegian hit charts and were among the bestselling bands in the country. In 1993 the band took a break, but came back in 2001 with a collection and some gigs. In 2005 they released a new studio album, and in 2008 they released another collection which also includes a DVD with shots from a concert in Hamar in 2007. The band's musical style has gone through minimal changes through almost three decades; they've kept most of the typical 80s rock, with a substantial amount of power ballads. The band have hits in their native Norway and in other countries such as Switzerland.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Return
rē-turn′, v.i. to come back to the same place or state: to answer: to retort: to turn back: to repeat: to revert: to recur: to reappear.—v.t. to bring or send back: to transmit: to give back: to repay: to give back in reply: to report: to give an account: to cast back: to reflect: to re-echo: to revolve: to restore: to requite: to return a call: to elect, as a member of parliament: in card-playing, to lead back in response to the lead of one's partner: in tennis, to bat the ball back over the net: in fencing, to give a thrust or cut after parrying a sword-thrust.—n. the act of going back: revolution: periodic renewal: the act of bringing or sending back: restitution: repayment: the profit on capital or labour: a reply: a report or account, esp. official: (pl.) a light-coloured and mild kind of tobacco: (law) the rendering back of a writ to the proper officer: (mil.) the return of the men fit for duty: (archit.) the continuation in a different direction of the face of a building, as a moulding.—adj. Retur′nable, legally requiring to be returned.—ns. Return′-bend, a pipe-coupling in the shape of the letter; Return′-car′go, a cargo brought back in place of merchandise previously sent out; Return′-check, a ticket for readmission; Return′-day, the day fixed when the defendant is to appear in court; Retur′ner; Retur′ning-off′icer, the officer who makes returns of writs, &c.: the presiding officer at an election.—adj. Return′less.—ns. Return′-match, a second match played by the same set of players; Return′-shock, an electric shock due to the action of induction sometimes felt after a lightning-flash; Return′-tag, a tag attached to a railway-car as evidence of its due arrival; Return′-tick′et, a ticket issued by a company for a journey and its return, usually at a reduced charge; Return′-valve, a valve which opens to allow reflux of a fluid in case of overflow. [Fr. retourner—re-, back, tourner, to turn—L. tornāre, to turn.]
The Standard Electrical Dictionary
Return
A line or conductor which is supposed to carry current back to its starting point, after it has traversed a line. It may be a wire or the grounding of the ends of a line [or] may make the earth act as a return, termed ground- or earth-return. The best distinction of a return is to so term the portion of a circuit on which no apparatus is placed.
Dictionary of Nautical Terms
return
A ship on a return voyage is not generally liable; but if she sailed on the outward voyage under false papers, the liability to confiscation continues.
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
return
An official account, report, or statement, rendered to the commander or other superior; as, the return of men fit for duty; the return of the number of the sick; the return of provisions, etc. For punishment of officers making false returns, see Appendix, Articles of War, 8.
Suggested Resources
return
Song lyrics by return -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by return on the Lyrics.com website.
Matched Categories
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'return' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1143
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'return' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2539
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'return' in Nouns Frequency: #435
Verbs Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'return' in Verbs Frequency: #100
Anagrams for return »
turner
Turner
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of return in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of return in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Examples of return in a Sentence
The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life.
As market leaders, we are taking on the responsibility of facing the challenges of competitiveness that the industry is experiencing in order to make a sustainable future possible for our businesses and the proper return to shareholders, we continue to work with unions, dealers, suppliers and the government in order to enable this new and additional 10 billion reais investment in the factories of São Caetano do Sul and São José dos Campos.
We are the beat of nature's heart, the earth is our heaven and the sun our breath, through our heart journey's the eternity unfolds and encircles us with her gentle hands, there is no end or return, no answer, just one spark flickers.
Overturning Roe v. Wade does not ban abortion nationwide, rather, it'll return the power is back to the states.
Waste not a second of the day, who knows if this moment will return, count each blessing of time when you dance the dance of life
Popularity rank by frequency of use
Translations for return
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- عودة, رجع, عاد, أرجع, أعادArabic
- ফেরত দেয়াBengali
- distroBreton
- restar, tornarCatalan, Valencian
- návratnost, návrat, vrátitCzech
- Rückkehr, Rückfahrkarte, zurückkehren, zurückkommen, zurückgebenGerman
- επαναφορά, γυρίζω, επιστρέφωGreek
- reiro, reveno, redoni, reveniEsperanto
- volver, retornar, regresar, devolver, retrovenderSpanish
- naasmaEstonian
- بازگشت, برگشت, دوسره, برگشتی, بازگشتن, برگرداندن, بازگرداندن, برگشتنPersian
- palautus, palautustieto, tulos, veroilmoitus, asiakaspalautus, sivupöytä, paluu, tulokset, [[edestakainen]] [[matkalippu]], raportti, rivinsiirto, menopaluulippu, ilmoittaa, palata, vastata, [[laittaa]] [[takaisin]], palauttaa, maksaa samalla mitalla, [[kääntää]] [[ympäri]]Finnish
- retour, revenir, relancer, retourner, rendre, remettreFrench
- fillIrish
- dìoladhScottish Gaelic
- volverGalician
- תְּשׁוּאָה, הֶחֱזִיר, חָזַרHebrew
- वापस देना, लौटनाHindi
- վերադարձնել, վերադառնալArmenian
- retornarInterlingua
- retroirarIdo
- skilaIcelandic
- tornare, restituireItalian
- 返却, 復帰, 帰還, 利益, 還付, 戻り値, 復路の切符, 返品, 返す, 戻る, 返球する, 戻す, 帰るJapanese
- 돌아가다Korean
- گهڕانهوه, پلهی گهڕانهوه, گهڕاندنهوه, هاتنهوهKurdish
- reversio, reditus, regressus, revertersio, redhibeo, remeo, revertor, redeo, reddo, revenio, regredior, restituoLatin
- ກັບຄືນLao
- retour, retourneren, teruggaan, terugkeren, terugkomen, terugbrengen, teruggevenDutch
- tornarOccitan
- powrót, zwrot, zwracać, wracać się, zwrócić, wrócić, powracać, powrócić, wracaćPolish
- volta, regresso, retorno, regressar, voltar, retornar, devolverPortuguese
- chayanpuy, kutiyQuechua
- tuornar, turner, turnarRomansh
- revenire, reîntoarcere, înapoiere, întoarce, returna, restitui, înapoiaRomanian
- возврат, отдача, возвращение, возврат каретки, верну́ть, возвраща́ться, возврати́ться, верну́ться, возврати́ть, возвраща́тьRussian
- torràe, torrài, torrareSardinian
- povratek, vrnitev, vrnitiSlovene
- retur, återvändo, återbäring, returtangent, skatteåterbäring, returbiljett, återkomst, avkastning, vagnretur, deklaration, returvärde, självdeklaration, returnera, återlämna, reklamera, återvändaSwedish
- لوٹاUrdu
- ridner, rindeWalloon
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