rebound

American  

[ri-bound, ree-bound, ree-bound, ri-bound] / rɪˈbaʊnd, ˈriˈbaʊnd, ˈriˌbaʊnd, rɪˈbaʊnd /

verb (used without object)

1. to bound or spring back from force of impact.

2. to recover, as from ill health or discouragement.

3. Basketball. to gain hold of rebounds.

   a forward who rebounds well off the offensive board.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to bound back; cast back.

2. Basketball. to gain hold of (a rebound).

   The guard rebounded the ball in backcourt.

noun

1. the act of rebounding; recoil.

2. Basketball.

   1. a ball that bounces off the backboard or the rim of the basket.

   2. an instance of gaining hold of such a ball.

3. Ice Hockey. a puck that bounces off the gear or person of a goalkeeper attempting to make a save.

idioms

1. on the rebound,

   1. after bouncing off the ground, a wall, etc..

      He hit the ball on the rebound.

   2. after being rejected by another.

      She didn't really love him; she married him on the rebound.

rebound British  

verb

1. to spring back, as from a sudden impact

2. to misfire, esp so as to hurt the perpetrator

   the plan rebounded

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noun

1. the act or an instance of rebounding

2. 1. in the act of springing back

   2. informal in a state of recovering from rejection, disappointment, etc

      he married her on the rebound from an unhappy love affair

rebound More Idioms  

1. see on the rebound.

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Etymology

Origin of rebound

1300–50; Middle English (v.) < Middle French rebondir, equivalent to Old French re- re- + bondir to bound ²

Explanation

To rebound is to come back from a slump. You might rebound from an illness, or your country might rebound from an economic recession. Like many words that start with the prefix re, rebound involves something happening again. In this case, to rebound is to bounce back to a previous state or condition. When you start to feel happy again after your heart gets broken, you rebound. If the stock market crashes and then returns to a healthy level, it rebounds.

Example Sentences

The poll may be skewed a bit bearish; most responses came in as the Iran war was raging, before the cease-fire and market rebound.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Investors in analog stocks are encouraged by Texas Instruments’ recent commentary suggesting a rebound for the formerly beaten-down category.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

The fall in confidence also presents a concern for the European Central Bank, which sees a pickup in consumption as key to any rebound in economic growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

But it ended in the team’s 21st overtime loss when Nicolas Roy banged home a rebound 7:44 into the extra period.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

There were chuckholes, too, and whenever I hit one, the rebound just about tossed Grandpa and Miss Love out of the car.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

• overcome
• pick up
• revive