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
D. K. Shipler2
: a sharp violent reaction
kicked back; kicking back; kicks back
: to assume a relaxed position or attitude
also
: to spend time relaxing : take it easy
spent the weekend just kicking back
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
Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024
For a cozy kickback, snag the Etta Venue patio daybed with extra plush cushions and enough room for two people.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 5 Oct. 2024
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Nov. 2024
Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska Nearest town: Fairbanks Prices from: $20 for camping / $200 for rooms a night
Want to kick back in a remote hot spring while the green tendrils of the Northern Lights dance above your head?
—Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickback 
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Noun
Prosecutors say the employee got kickbacks: $233,000 of the $2 million in contract proceeds for Life Deeds and DSM.
—Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024
For a cozy kickback, snag the Etta Venue patio daybed with extra plush cushions and enough room for two people.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 5 Oct. 2024
Verb
So kick back, relax, and let someone else do the cooking.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Nov. 2024
Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska Nearest town: Fairbanks Prices from: $20 for camping / $200 for rooms a night
Want to kick back in a remote hot spring while the green tendrils of the Northern Lights dance above your head?
—Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickback
Articles Related to kickback
Dictionary Entries Near kickback
Cite this Entry
“Kickback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickback. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 verbLegal 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.
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