return
verb (used without object)
to go or come back, as to a former place, position, or state: to return to public office;
had returned
-
past perfectof return.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By the time Hernández and Smith had returned, Andy Pages was on the injured list, soon to be followed by Shohei Ohtani.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
However, a review in October that year found he had returned to "normal exercise capacity", a statement from his GP said.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Ten months after abandoning Ole Miss to coach LSU, Lane Kiffin had returned to Oxford to deal his former employer one more indignity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
Villagers had returned home following the June truce after being displaced by the war.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
Aunt Chipo killed a chicken in honor of Vatete, who had returned with her, and several other relatives arrived from the other village with baskets of food.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
