returnable

American  

[ri-tur-nuh-buhl] / rɪˈtɜr nə bəl /

adjective

1. that may be returned.

   returnable merchandise.

2. requiring a return, as a writ to the court from which it is issued.

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noun

1. a beverage bottle or can that can be returned when empty for refund of a deposit.

Other Word Forms

• returnability noun
• unreturnable adjective

Etymology

Origin of returnable

1375–1425; 1960–65 returnable for def. 3; late Middle English retournable. See return, -able

Example Sentences

Drs Ledesma-Amaro and Shamsul have sent small amounts of the yeast concoction to orbit the Earth in a small cube satellite on board Europe's first commercial returnable spacecraft, Phoenix.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

“Any version of a 2020 rover mission that does not prepare a returnable cache would seriously delay any significant progress toward sample return,” it noted.

From Scientific American • Oct. 30, 2023

I buy milk in returnable glass bottles, and I take jars to places where I can get cooking oil in bulk.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2023

Although returnable packaging systems are still geographically limited — they're usually only available to those living in major cities — consumers who have access to them report big benefits.

From Salon • Jun. 25, 2023

They were interchangeable from base to base, like returnable bottles.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy