noun
payback
PAY-bak
noun
1
Revenge for something someone has done.
"Beating his old rival in the final felt like payback."
2
A financial return on an investment, or reimbursement of money spent.
"The solar panels have a payback period of about seven years."
How to Use Payback
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting even with someone, or getting your money back on an investment.
Common pairings
payback time
payback period
Word Forms
paybacks plural
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Etymology
A noun formed from the phrasal verb "pay back."