1re·turn 
/rɪˈtɚn/ verb
re·turns; re·turned; re·turn·ing /rɪˈtɚn/ verb 1 [no obj] : to come or go to a place again : to come back or go back again
▪ We waited for you to return. ▪ She is returning home tomorrow. ▪ I'm leaving but will return at 2 p.m. ▪ She left home never to return. [=she never went home again] — often + from or to ▪ No one was home when I returned from work. ▪ He returned from his trip last night. ▪ I returned to Paris 10 years later. ▪ The bird returns to this area each spring. ▪ He returned to find the house empty. [=he returned and found that the house was empty] — see also return to (below) 2 [+ obj] a : to bring, give, send, or take (something) to the place that it came from or the place where it should go
▪ I have to return a book to the library. ▪ I'm returning your ladder. Thanks for letting me borrow it. ▪ Return [=bring] this application to me when you have filled it out. ▪ Please fill out the application and return [=send] it to the address below. ▪ She returned the gun to its holster. [=she put the gun in its holster]
b : 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.
▪ 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.
c : to bring (empty bottles or cans) to a place that collects them so that they can be used again
▪ I'm going to return these bottles and cans (for recycling). 3 [no obj] : to happen or exist again
▪ The pain returned [=recurred, came back] about two hours after I took the pill. ▪ His jealousy returned when he saw his ex-wife with her new husband. ▪ Hope has returned to the city. [=the city's people are hopeful again] 4 [+ obj] : to respond to (something) in the same way
▪ He smiled at her, and she returned the smile. [=she smiled at him] ▪ When I told her that she looked beautiful, she returned [=repaid] the compliment by saying that I looked very handsome. ▪ He never returned my phone calls. [=he did not call me back] ▪ Thanks for helping me. I'll be sure to return the favor. [=I will help you when you need help] ▪ When the suspect started shooting, the police were forced to return fire. [=to shoot back at the suspect] 5 [+ obj] formal : to make an official report of (a decision or order)
▪ The jury returned a verdict of guilty. 6 [+ obj] tennis : to hit back (a ball that was hit to you)
▪ He returned her serve. ▪ Her serve is difficult to return. 7 [+ obj] American football : to run with the ball after getting it because of a kick, fumble, etc.
▪ He returned the ball/kick 50 yards. 8 [+ obj] Brit : to elect (someone) to office — usually used as (be) returned ▪ He was returned to Parliament. — often + as ▪ She was returned as prime minister. 9 [+ obj] finance : to produce or earn (something, such as a profit or loss)
▪ The investment returned a huge profit. ▪ bonds that return [=yield] five percent annually
▪ We waited for you to return. ▪ She is returning home tomorrow. ▪ I'm leaving but will return at 2 p.m. ▪ She left home never to return. [=she never went home again] — often + from or to ▪ No one was home when I returned from work. ▪ He returned from his trip last night. ▪ I returned to Paris 10 years later. ▪ The bird returns to this area each spring. ▪ He returned to find the house empty. [=he returned and found that the house was empty] — see also return to (below)
▪ I have to return a book to the library. ▪ I'm returning your ladder. Thanks for letting me borrow it. ▪ Return [=bring] this application to me when you have filled it out. ▪ Please fill out the application and return [=send] it to the address below. ▪ She returned the gun to its holster. [=she put the gun in its holster]
b : 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.
▪ 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.
c : to bring (empty bottles or cans) to a place that collects them so that they can be used again
▪ I'm going to return these bottles and cans (for recycling).
▪ The pain returned [=recurred, came back] about two hours after I took the pill. ▪ His jealousy returned when he saw his ex-wife with her new husband. ▪ Hope has returned to the city. [=the city's people are hopeful again]
▪ He smiled at her, and she returned the smile. [=she smiled at him] ▪ When I told her that she looked beautiful, she returned [=repaid] the compliment by saying that I looked very handsome. ▪ He never returned my phone calls. [=he did not call me back] ▪ Thanks for helping me. I'll be sure to return the favor. [=I will help you when you need help] ▪ When the suspect started shooting, the police were forced to return fire. [=to shoot back at the suspect]
▪ The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
▪ He returned her serve. ▪ Her serve is difficult to return.
▪ He returned the ball/kick 50 yards.
▪ The investment returned a huge profit. ▪ bonds that return [=yield] five percent annually
return to [phrasal verb]
return to (something) 1 : to go to (a place where you work, study, etc.) again after being away for a time
▪ When do you return to school? ▪ She hopes to return to the office next week. — see also 1return 1 (above) 2 : to start doing or using (something) again especially after a long time
▪ She hopes to return to work [=to start working again] next week. ▪ She hopes to return to working at home next week. ▪ He returned to the old ways of farming. 3 : to start an activity again that relates to (something)
▪ He returned to his book [=he started reading his book again] after feeding the cat. ▪ Let's return to your first question. [=let's discuss the first question you asked earlier] ▪ He returned to football not as a player but as a coach. 4 : to change back to (an earlier or original condition or state)
▪ She soon returned [=reverted] to her old habits. ▪ His breathing returned to normal. [=his breathing became normal again]
▪ When do you return to school? ▪ She hopes to return to the office next week. — see also 1return 1 (above)
▪ She hopes to return to work [=to start working again] next week. ▪ She hopes to return to working at home next week. ▪ He returned to the old ways of farming.
▪ He returned to his book [=he started reading his book again] after feeding the cat. ▪ Let's return to your first question. [=let's discuss the first question you asked earlier] ▪ He returned to football not as a player but as a coach.
▪ She soon returned [=reverted] to her old habits. ▪ His breathing returned to normal. [=his breathing became normal again]
