# kickback

/ˈkɪkˌbæk/ (US) · /kˈɪkbæk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kickback
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

a secret, illegal payment made to someone in return for help with a business deal or a government contract. You usually give this money to someone powerful who used their position to help you.

For teachers: a form of negotiated bribery in which a portion of the funds from a contract or transaction is illicitly returned to a facilitator as a reward for their influence. Often associated with political corruption or corporate procurement fraud.

## Examples

- The official was arrested for taking a kickback from the construction company.
- Investigators discovered that the mayor received a ten percent kickback on every public works contract awarded during his term.
- The scandal deepened when auditors identified a series of kickbacks disguised as consulting fees, funneled through offshore accounts to avoid detection by federal regulators.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in legal, political, and financial contexts to describe illicit commissions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.