# rollback

/ˈɹoʊɫˌbæk/ (US) · /ɹˈəʊlbæk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rollback
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. reversing a policy or price

noun · CEFR B2

the act of changing a rule or price back to how it was before.

For teachers: the reversal of a policy, regulation, or price change to a previous state.

- The supermarket announced a rollback on milk prices to help families with rising costs.
- Environmental groups protested the government's proposed rollback of clean water regulations, fearing a return to higher pollution levels.

### 2. undoing a computer operation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

returning a computer system or database to an earlier, safe version after an error.

For teachers: the operation of restoring a database or software system to a previous consistent state, typically after a failed transaction or update.

- The system crash forced a rollback to the backup created last night.
- The DevOps team initiated an immediate rollback of the latest deployment after the monitoring tools detected a critical memory leak in production.

### 3. loss of engine power

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a sudden, unplanned drop in power from a jet engine.

For teachers: an uncommanded reduction in the thrust of a jet engine, often resulting from a technical malfunction.

- The pilot noticed an engine rollback during the climb and decided to return to the airport.
- Investigators determined that the crash was caused by a dual-engine rollback triggered by ice crystals entering the fuel system.

### 4. to return to a previous state

verb · CEFR B2

to change something back to an earlier version or lower level.

For teachers: to restore a system, price, or regulation to a previous state. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The company decided to rollback the new software update because it was too slow.
- The administration plans to rollback several trade tariffs in an effort to ease diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries.

## Examples

- The store announced a rollback on milk prices.
- After the new software caused several crashes, the IT department initiated a system rollback to the previous stable version.
- Environmental groups expressed concern that the proposed legislative rollback would undo decades of progress in protecting local water quality and wildlife habitats.

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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.