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

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

Young doesn’t allow kickbacks and in instances when he or managers discovered that a team member had “improperly incentivized” patients, that person was fired, said Cohen.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Court documents describe a kickback scheme operating for years that influenced the selection of wines available in the grocery chain’s stores.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At a recent House hearing, Mr Discaya admitted to paying kickbacks to lawmakers - "We couldn't do anything but play along with them" - but the Congressmen disputed his allegation.

Read more on BBC

For instance, the ACB accused Mutharika of receiving a kickback from a contract to supply food to the police - he denied any wrongdoing.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• gift 
• graft 
• payment 
• payoff