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1 the act of returning from somewhere, or your arrival back in a place : 
We're all looking forward to your return!
coming back
[singular]
We're all looking forward to your return!2 the act of giving, putting, or sending something back
giving back
[singular] return of A mother is appealing for the safe return of her baby son. Police have arranged for the return of the stolen goods.
A mother is appealing for the safe return of her baby son.Police have arranged for the return of the stolen goods.3 a change back to a previous state or situation
changing back
[singular] return to The United States called for a return to democracy. a return to normal
The United States called for a return to democracy.a return to normal4 when someone starts an activity again after they had stopped
starting again
[singular] return to Rose's return to the teaching profession
Rose's return to the teaching profession5 the amount of profit that you get from something : The markets are showing extremely poor returns.
profit
[uncountable and countable]BFThe markets are showing extremely poor returns. return from The returns from farming are declining.
The returns from farming are declining.6 as payment or reward for something : He is always helping people without expecting anything in return. We offer an excellent all-round education to our students. In return, we expect students to work hard. Liz agreed to look after the baby in return for a free room.
in return (for something)
He is always helping people without expecting anything in return.We offer an excellent all-round education to our students. In return, we expect students to work hard.Liz agreed to look after the baby in return for a free room.7 when a feeling, situation etc starts to exist or happen again
feeling/situation
[singular] return of She felt a return of her old anxiety. David had noticed the return of worrying symptoms in the last few days.
She felt a return of her old anxiety.David had noticed the return of worrying symptoms in the last few days.8TD the key that you press on a computer at the end of an instruction or to move to a new line [= enter]: Key in the file name and press return.
computer
[uncountable]TDBBOKey in the file name and press return.9 a statement giving written information in reply to official questions : an analysis of the 1851 census returns ➔ tax return
statement
[countable]PETan analysis of the 1851 census returns10 a vote in an election : What are the returns from last night's voting?
vote
[countable] technicalWhat are the returns from last night's voting?11 if you reply to a letter by return, you send your reply almost immediately
by return (of post)
British EnglishTCM12 a ticket for a journey from one place to another and back again [≠ single; = round trip AmE] ➔ day return
