rebound

[ verb ri-bound, ree-bound; noun ree-bound, ri-bound ]

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.

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.

rebound

verb

1. to spring back, as from a sudden impact
2. to misfire, esp so as to hurt the perpetrator

   the plan rebounded

noun

1. the act or an instance of rebounding
2. on the rebound
   1. in the act of springing back
   2. in a state of recovering from rejection, disappointment, etc

      he married her on the rebound from an unhappy love affair

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebound¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebound¹

C14: from Old French rebondir , from re- + bondir to bound ²

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing rebound

see on the rebound .

Example Sentences

“So, it doesn’t matter. Defensively, I thought we did a good job... and then rebounding the basketball.”

From Los Angeles Times

He finished with eight dunks, 24 points and 15 rebounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Bamba was solid in his return, scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds in 15 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bruins took full control in the second as Betts got going with 10 points to go along with five rebounds in the quarter.

From Los Angeles Times

However, even after El Niño subsided, global freshwater failed to rebound.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• overcome
• pick up
• revive