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

Appeared in the February 12, 2026, print edition as 'A Welcome Jobs Rebound'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Appeared in the October 14, 2025, print edition as 'Technology Stocks Lead Wide Rebound'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

“I wouldn’t have to do much. Rebound a little bit, pass a little bit, defend, block some shots, you know? But we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”

From Washington Times • Oct. 2, 2023

Rebound typically occurs within a week of recovering from the virus, Pandit said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 2, 2023

The Rebound of the 24th June, 1848, on the 2d December 1851 XVIII.

From The History of a Crime The Testimony of an Eye-Witness by Hugo, Victor

Related Words

• overcome
• pick up
• revive