pay‧back /ˈpeɪbæk/ noun

1. [countable] the money or advantage you gain from a business, project, or something you have done:
The immediate payback for them is publicity.

2. [uncountable] American English informal when you do something to make someone suffer because of something they have done to harm you ⇒ revenge:
I guess it’s payback time.

3. payback period
a) the period of time in which you will make a profit on an investment
b) the period of time over which you must pay back money you have borrowed

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲