GO BACK [I] › to go or come back to a place where you were before: She returned to America in 1954. I won't return from my holiday till May. GIVE BACK [T] › to give, send, or put something back where it came from: I have to return the book by Friday. He immediately returned the records to the files. return to sth › to start doing an activity again or talking about something again: I returned to work three months after Susie was born. We keep returning to the same subject. › to go back to a previous condition: Life has begun to return to normal now that the war is over.
HAPPEN AGAIN [I] › If something returns, it happens again: If the pains return phone the doctor. DO THE SAME [T] › to react to something that someone does or says by doing or saying the same: I returned his smile. I must return Michael's call (= telephone him because he telephoned me earlier). return a verdict/sentence › to announce if someone is guilty or not guilty or what punishment the person will be given in a law court: The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
SPORTS [T] › to hit or throw a ball back to someone when playing a sport