rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryreboundBouncing back
noun / verb

rebound

rih-BOWND/rɪˈbaʊnd/

A return movement after striking an obstacle.

The rubber ball rebounds from the wall after striking it.

A rubber ball rebounds from a solid wall: a compact incoming motion trail reaches a clear impact point, and an outgoing arrow leads back away from the wall to the airborne ball.
Etymology
reOld Frenchback
+boundOld Frenchto leap

To 'leap back' describes the motion after an impact. That physical return also supplies the figurative sense: after a setback, someone rebounds toward a former state or renewed activity.

In context

Physics Girl2:42
This causes the implosion to rebound and bounce outward. You end up with a dense core left behind and these wild outer shells of star exploding outward
Stacked Ball Drop

More examples

  • She catches the ball on the rebound.
  • The tennis ball rebounded off the fence.
  • A soft surface weakens the ball's rebound.

Forms

rebound · rebounds · rebounded · rebounding

Similar words

bounce
Often describes upward motion, not necessarily a return backward.
ricochet
Usually describes a projectile glancing off a hard surface.