refund

¹ American  

[ri-fuhnd, ree-fuhnd, ree-fuhnd] / rɪˈfʌnd, ˈri fʌnd, ˈri fʌnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to give back or restore (especially money); repay.

2. to make repayment to; reimburse.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make repayment.

noun

1. an act or instance of refunding.

2. an amount refunded.

refund ² American  

[ree-fuhnd] / riˈfʌnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to fund anew.

2. Finance.

   1. to meet (a matured debt structure) by new borrowing, especially through issuance of bonds.

   2. to replace (an old issue) with a new one.

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refund British  

verb

1. to give back (money), as when an article purchased is unsatisfactory

2. to reimburse (a person)

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noun

1. return of money to a purchaser or the amount so returned

Other Word Forms

• nonrefundability noun
• nonrefundable adjective
• refundability noun
• refundable adjective
• refunder noun
• refundment noun
• unrefundable adjective

Etymology

Origin of refund¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb refunden “to export, transmit,” from Old French refonder, refunder “to reimburse” and Latin refundere “to pour back,” equivalent to re- re- + fundere “to pour”; found ³

Origin of refund²

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + fund

Example Sentences

Mischief Management confirmed to The Times that the company is issuing full refunds to all ticket holders.

From Los Angeles Times

Retail sales rose 0.6% in February, the government said Wednesday, partly fueled by annual tax refunds.

From MarketWatch

Indeed, one reason economists are somewhat sanguine about higher energy prices is that last year’s tax law is putting cash in Americans’ pockets through bigger tax refunds and lower paycheck withholding.

From The Wall Street Journal

Northern Ireland supporters, meanwhile, had been offered refunds by their association, who sensed the lack of appetite, even if their defeat in Italy had been less of a sickener.

From BBC

Taxpayers can typically sue after the government acts, so they can seek refunds or challenge the government if it denies a request for tax-exempt status.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• allowance
• compensation
• discount
• kickback
• payment
• rebate
• reimbursement
• repayment
• restitution