1
: requital
2
: a return on an investment equal to the original capital outlay
also
: the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped
Examples of payback in a Sentence
They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback.
we are hoping to get payback for the humiliating defeat we suffered at the hands of our rivals during our last matchup
Recent Examples on the Web
Within the settlement, schools within the Power Five conferences were automatically entered into the payback program, while non-Power Five conference schools could choose to participate.
—
Shaela Foster, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
The company continues to focus on its growth strategy, targeting an average payback period of less than three years for new restaurants.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
The Comets hope to get payback for an overtime defeat in December.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
Some Republicans also have expressed interest in payback for Democrats removing Republicans from committees in the recent past.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
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Shaela Foster, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
The company continues to focus on its growth strategy, targeting an average payback period of less than three years for new restaurants.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
The Comets hope to get payback for an overtime defeat in December.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
Some Republicans also have expressed interest in payback for Democrats removing Republicans from committees in the recent past.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for payback
Cite this Entry
“Payback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payback. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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