1. To go or come back, as to an earlier condition or place.

2. To revert in speech, thought, or practice.

3. To revert to a former owner.

4. To answer or respond.

1. To send, put, or carry back: We return bottles to the store.

2. a. To give or send back in reciprocation: She returned his praise. b. To give back to the owner: He returned her book. c. To reflect or send back: The echo was returned by the canyon wall.

3. To produce or yield (profit or interest) as a payment for labor, investment, or expenditure.

4. Law. a. To submit (an official report, for example) to a judge or other person in authority. b. To render or deliver (a writ or verdict, for example) to the proper officer or court of law.

5. To elect or reelect, as to a legislative body.

6. Games. To respond to (a partner's lead) by leading the same suit in cards.

7. Architecture. To turn away from or place at an angle to the previous line of direction.

8. a. Sports. To send back (a tennis ball, for example) to one's opponent. b. Football. To run with (the ball) after a kickoff, a punt, an interception, or a fumble.

1. a. The act or condition of going, coming, bringing, or sending back. b. The act of bringing or sending something back to a previous place, condition, or owner.

2. a. Something brought or sent back. b. returns Merchandise returned, as to a retailer by a consumer or to a wholesaler by a retailer. c. Something that goes or comes back.

3. A recurrence, as of a periodic occasion or event: the return of spring.

4. Something exchanged for that received; repayment.

5. A reply; a response.

6. a. The profit made on an exchange of goods. b. Often returns A profit or yield, as from labor or investments. c. Output or yield per unit rather than cost per unit, as in the manufacturing of a particular product.

7. a. A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official. b. Often returns A report on the vote in an election. c. Chiefly British. An election.

8. Games. A lead in certain card games that responds to the lead of one's partner.

9. Sports. In tennis and certain other sports: a. The act of sending the ball back to one's opponent. b. The ball thus sent back.

10. Football. a. The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, a punt, an interception, or a fumble. b. The yardage so gained.

11. Architecture. a. The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90) to the main part. b. A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.

12. a. A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road. b. A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.

13. The key or mechanism on a machine, such as a typewriter or computer, that positions the carriage, cursor, or printing element at the beginning of a new line.

14. Chiefly British. A roundtrip ticket.

15. Law. a. The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued. b. A certified report by an assessor, an election officer, a collector, or another official.

16. A formal tax statement on the required official form indicating taxable income, allowed deductions, exemptions, and the computed tax that is due. In this sense, also called income tax return, tax return.

1. Of, relating to, or bringing about a going or coming back to a place or situation: the return voyage; a return envelope.

2. Given, sent, or done in reciprocation or exchange: a return volley; a return invitation.

3. Performed, presented, or taking place again: a return engagement of the ballet; a return tennis match.

4. Used on or for returning: a return route.

5. Returning or affording return or recirculation: a return plumbing pipe; a return valve.

6. Relating to or being a roundtrip ticket.

7. a. Reversing or changing direction. b. Having or formed by a reversal or change in direction; returning on itself, as a bend in a road or stream.