rebound

1 of 2

verb

re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce rebound (audio)
ri-ˈbau̇nd
rebounded; rebounding; rebounds

intransitive verb

1
a
: to spring back on or as if on collision or impact with another body
b
: to recover from setback or frustration
2
: reecho
3
: to gain possession of a rebound in basketball

transitive verb

: to cause to rebound
rebounder
ˈrē-ˌbau̇n-dər How to pronounce rebound (audio)
ri-ˈbau̇n-
noun

rebound

2 of 2

noun

re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce rebound (audio)
ri-ˈbau̇nd
1
a
: the action of rebounding : recoil
b
: an upward leap or movement : recovery
a sharp rebound in prices
2
a
: a basketball or hockey puck that rebounds
b
: the act or an instance of gaining possession of a basketball rebound
leads the league in rebounds
3
: a reaction to setback, frustration, or crisis
on the rebound from an unhappy love affair

Examples of rebound in a Sentence

Verb The baseball rebounded off the wall. She rebounded quickly from the loss. She is good at both shooting and rebounding. He rebounded the ball and quickly passed it to a teammate. Noun He led the league in rebounds last year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Yet, both stars have flourished as professionals, with Reese setting rebounding records as a rookie, while Clark has become one of the most versatile players in the entirety of the league. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025 However, two of the pop star’s most successful singles have managed to rebound and reappear on the same tally. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
Jalen Williams added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025 Jalen Brunson had 31 points on 19 field goal attempts, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebound

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French rebundir, from re- + Old French bondir to bound — more at bound entry 4

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebound was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebound. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

rebound

1 of 2 verb
re·​bound ri-ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce rebound (audio)
1
: to spring back on hitting something
2
: to recover from a loss or disappointment
3
: to gain possession of a rebound in basketball

rebound

2 of 2 noun
re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce rebound (audio)
ri-ˈbau̇nd
1
: the action of rebounding : a springing back
2
a
: a basketball or hockey puck that rebounds
b
: the act of gaining possession of a basketball rebound
led the league in rebounds
3
: an immediate reaction especially to a loss or disappointment

Medical Definition

rebound

noun
re·​bound ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce rebound (audio) ri-ˈ How to pronounce rebound (audio)
: a spontaneous reaction
especially : a return to a previous state or condition following removal of a stimulus or cessation of treatment
withdrawal of antihypertensive medication may lead to a rebound hypertensive crisis Emergency Medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on rebound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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