kickback

[kik-bak]

noun

1. a percentage of income given to a person in a position of power or influence as payment for having made the income possible: usually considered improper or unethical.

2. a rebate, usually given secretively by a seller to a buyer or to one who influenced the buyer.

3. the practice of an employer or a person in a supervisory position of taking back a portion of the wages due workers.

4. a response, usually vigorous.

5. a sudden, uncontrolled movement of a machine, tool, or other device, as on starting or in striking an obstruction.

   A kickback from a chain saw can be dangerous.

kickback

/ ˈkɪkˌbæk /

noun

1. a strong reaction

2. part of an income paid to a person having influence over the size or payment of the income, esp by some illegal arrangement

verb

1. (intr) to have a strong reaction

2. (intr) (esp of a gun) to recoil

3. to pay a kickback to (someone)

Other Word Forms

• antikickback adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kickback¹

1930–35, noun use of verb phrase kick back

Example Sentences

Investigators earlier alleged a key Zelensky ally orchestrated a $100-million kickback scheme to siphon funds, triggering public anger at a time of widespread power outages caused by Russian attacks.

Read more on Barron's

“In some instances, the defendants received bribes and kickback payments — funneled through third parties — in exchange for rigging pitches.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Clase received kickbacks from the bettors for the information and sometimes provided money to finance the scheme, according to charges.

Read more on Barron's

They say that he agreed with Clase that he would throw prearranged balls instead of strikes on pitches in two games in exchange for bribes and kickbacks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In June 1977 the Washington Post reported that the Justice Department was probing Diggs for receiving kickbacks from some of his congressional employees’ inflated salaries.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gift 
• graft 
• payment 
• payoff