paybackpay·back /ˈpeɪbæk/ noun [countableC, uncountableU]1FINANCE the money or rewards gained from a new business, project etcOne hurdle that often trips new entrepreneurs is the amount of time invested in a start-up before realizing any payback.
It is a solid project that will generate hard currency with a fairly shortpayback period (=the period of time needed to get back the cost of an investment).
2FINANCELAW an illegal payment by a financial institution to an investor to replace money they have lostExecutives were worried that the credit transfer would look like payback.
Thepayback deals might never have come to light had local tax officials not leaked the schemes to the press.