kickback

1 of 2

noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

1

: a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion

every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials

—D. K. Shipler

2

: a sharp violent reaction

kick back

2 of 2

verb

kicked back; kicking back; kicks back

intransitive verb

: to assume a relaxed position or attitude

also : to spend time relaxing : take it easy

spent the weekend just kicking back

Synonyms

Verb

• bask
• loll
• lounge
• relax
• repose
• rest

Examples of kickback in a Sentence

Noun

Several company executives were accused of accepting kickbacks.

Verb

I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television.

a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

More:Recall signatures submitted for MPS recall effort; verification process begins Bonds pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiracy and violations of the Travel Act for taking kickbacks in return for votes between 2014 and 2016 that benefited Universal, which employed his co-conspirators. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2024

Shortly before that, the team had been under scrutiny as allegations that the former coach had accepted more than a million dollars in kickbacks in exchange for recruiting students to Harvard’s team. —Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC News, 26 July 2024

Verb

Grab one of the complimentary bikes or yoga mats to get some movement in, or kick back for the regular live music sessions, which locals love to drop in on too. —Sunset Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024

Serious consequences kick back into action for borrowers who miss or delay making their federal student loan payments in October and later. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kickback

• anti-kickback

Kids Definition

kickback

1 of 2 noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

: a secret return of part of a sum of money received

kick back

2 of 2 verb

: relax sense 4

Legal Definition

kickback

noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

: a payment (as of money or property) made to one in a position to open up or control a source of income for the payor

convicted of receiving kickbacks for referrals

compare bribe, payoff

Note: A kickback is specifically a payment for income received or to be received. The word is usually not restricted to a return of funds.