Return vs. Send — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 16, 2024
Return emphasizes the act of sending something back to its origin or a previous state, while send generally implies dispatching something to a recipient or location.
Difference Between Return and Send
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Return involves the process of sending back an item to where it originally came from or where it was previously, often due to reasons like dissatisfaction or the end of a usage period. On the other hand, send involves the action of causing something to go or be taken to another place, typically involving the transfer of items, messages, or information from one person or location to another.
While returning something, there is often an implication that the item was in the recipient’s possession temporarily, such as a rented item or a purchase awaiting approval. Whereas sending something usually does not imply a prior relationship or condition between the sender and the recipient regarding the item being sent.
In the context of communication, to return a call or email means to reply or respond to a received communication. On the other hand, to send a call or email is to initiate communication, often without any prior prompt.
Returns are frequently associated with policies or regulations, especially in commerce where customers return goods under a return policy. In contrast, sending is more about logistics and delivery mechanisms, focusing on how items or communications are transmitted from one point to another.
Return can also refer to yielding or producing something, as in "the investment returns were substantial". Conversely, send does not have a similar usage in financial or performance contexts, maintaining its focus on the transmission or dispatch aspect.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To go or come back to a place or person.
To cause to go or be taken to a place.
Usage in context
Often implies a previous possession or condition.
Implies starting the transit of something.
Communication
Implies replying or reacting to prior communication.
Refers to initiating communication.
Associated terms
Return policy, return on investment.
Send off, send out.
Connotation
Often linked with reimbursement or reply.
Focuses on dispatch and delivery.
Compare with Definitions
Return
Produce a profit or result.
The new strategy returned significant benefits.
Send
Dispatch someone to another location.
The company will send him to the London office.
Return
Act of giving back something to where it was originally obtained.
She decided to return the dress after trying it on.
Send
Transmit a message or communication.
She sent an email to confirm the meeting details.
Return
Respond to a previous communication.
Please return his call as soon as possible.
Send
Cause to go or be taken to somewhere.
He sent the package via overnight courier.
Return
To go back to a place or person.
He returns to New York every autumn.
Send
Cause someone to go to a specified place as a task.
They sent a technician to fix the issue.
Return
Recur in thought or discourse.
He often returns to this theme in his lectures.
Send
Emanate or emit a quality.
The flowers sent a delightful fragrance throughout the house.
Return
To go or come back, as to an earlier condition or place
She returned to her office after lunch.
Send
To cause to be conveyed by an intermediary to a destination
Send goods by plane.
Return
To revert in speech, thought, or practice
I returned to my knitting after answering the phone.
Send
To dispatch, as by a communications medium
Send a message by radio.
Return
To revert to a former owner.
Send
To direct to go on a mission
Sent troops into the Middle East.
Return
To answer or respond
I said hello to him, and he returned in kind.
Send
To require or enable to go
Sent her children to college.
Return
To send, put, or carry back
We return bottles to the store.
Send
To direct (a person) to a source of information; refer
Sent the student to the reference section of the library.
Return
To give or send back in reciprocation
She returned his praise.
Send
To give off (heat, for example); emit or issue
A stove that sends forth great warmth.
Return
To give back to the owner
He returned her book.
Send
To utter or otherwise emit (sound)
Sent forth a cry of pain.
Return
To reflect or send back
The echo was returned by the canyon wall.
Send
To hit so as to direct or propel with force; drive
The batter sent the ball to left field. The slap on my back sent me staggering.
Return
To produce or yield (profit or interest) as a payment for labor, investment, or expenditure.
Send
To cause to take place or occur
We will meet whatever vicissitudes fate may send.
Return
To submit (an official report, for example) to a judge or other person in authority.
Send
To put or drive into a given state or condition
Horrifying news that sent them into a panic.
Return
To render or deliver (a writ or verdict, for example) to the proper officer or court of law.
Send
(Slang) To transport with delight; carry away
That music really sends me.
Return
To elect or reelect, as to a legislative body.
Send
To dispatch someone to do an errand or convey a message
Let's send out for hamburgers.
Return
(Games) To respond to (a partner's lead) by leading the same suit in cards.
Send
To dispatch a request or order, especially by mail
Send away for a new catalogue.
Return
(Architecture) To turn away from or place at an angle to the previous line of direction.
Send
To transmit a message or messages
The radio operator was still sending when the ship went down.
Return
(Sports) To hit or send back (a tennis ball, for example) to one's opponent.
Send
Variant of scend.
Return
(Football) To run with (the ball) after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
Send
To make something (such as an object or message) go from one place to another (or to someone).
Every day at two o'clock, he sends his secretary out to buy him a coffee.
She sends me a letter every month.
Return
The act or condition of going, coming, bringing, or sending back
After my return, we can discuss this matter further.
Send
To excite, delight, or thrill (someone).
Return
The act of bringing or sending something back to a previous place, condition, or owner
The late return of a library book.
Send
(transitive) To bring to a certain condition.
Return
Something brought or sent back.
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message or do an errand.
Seeing how ill she was, we sent for a doctor at once.
Return
Returns Merchandise returned, as to a retailer by a consumer or to a wholesaler by a retailer.
Send
(transitive) To cause to be or to happen; to bring, bring about; (archaic) to visit: (Referring to blessing or reward) To bestow; to grant. (Referring to curse or punishment) To inflict. Sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
Return
Something that goes or comes back.
Send
To pitch.
Return
A recurrence, as of a periodic occasion or event
The return of spring.
Send
To make a successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
She finally sent the 12a after hours of failed attempts.
Return
Something exchanged for that received; repayment.
Send
To care.
Return
A reply; a response.
Send
(telecommunications) An operation in which data is transmitted.
Return
The profit made on an exchange of goods.
Send
An icon (usually on a computer screen and labeled with the word "Send") on which one clicks (with a mouse or its equivalent) or taps to transmit an email or other electronic message.
Good thing I didn't hit send on that resume; I just noticed a bad typo.
Return
Often returns A profit or yield, as from labor or investments.
Send
(nautical) scend
Return
Output or yield per unit rather than cost per unit, as in the manufacturing of a particular product.
Send
(Scotland) A messenger, especially one sent to fetch the bride.
Return
A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official.
Send
A callout or diss usually aimed at a specific person, often in the form of a diss track.
Return
Often returns A report on the vote in an election.
Send
(climbing) A successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
Return
Chiefly British An election.
Send
To cause to go in any manner; to dispatch; to commission or direct to go; as, to send a messenger.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.
I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Servants, sent on messages, stay out somewhat longer than the message requires.
Return
(Games) A lead in certain card games that responds to the lead of one's partner.
Send
To give motion to; to cause to be borne or carried; to procure the going, transmission, or delivery of; as, to send a message.
He . . . sent letters by posts on horseback.
O send out thy light an thy truth; let them lead me.
Return
The act of hitting or sending the ball back to one's opponent.
Send
To emit; to impel; to cast; to throw; to hurl; as, to send a ball, an arrow, or the like.
Return
The ball thus sent back.
Send
To cause to be or to happen; to bestow; to inflict; to grant; - sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke.
And sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God send your mission may bring back peace.
Return
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message, or to do an errand.
See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away my head?
Return
The yardage so gained.
Send
To pitch; as, the ship sends forward so violently as to endanger her masts.
Return
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
Send
The impulse of a wave by which a vessel is carried bodily.
Return
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
Send
Cause to go somewhere;
The explosion sent the car flying in the air
She sent her children to camp
He directed all his energies into his dissertation
Return
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
Send
To cause or order to be taken, directed, or transmitted to another place;
He had sent the dispatches downtown to the proper people and had slept
Return
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
Send
Cause to be directed or transmitted to another place;
Send me your latest results
I'll mail you the paper when it's written
Return
The key or mechanism on a machine, such as a typewriter, that positions the carriage or printing element at the beginning of a new line.
Send
Transport commercially
Return
A key on a computer keyboard or keypad used to begin a new line or paragraph in a text editor.
Send
Assign to a station
Return
Chiefly British A roundtrip ticket.
Send
Transfer;
The spy sent the classified information off to Russia
Return
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
Send
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison
Return
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
Send
Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;
We cannot air this X-rated song
Return
A formal tax statement on the required official form indicating taxable income, allowed deductions, exemptions, and the computed tax that is due. Also called income tax return, tax return.
Return
Of, relating to, or bringing about a going or coming back to a place or situation
The return voyage.
A return envelope.
Return
Given, sent, or done in reciprocation or exchange
A return volley.
A return invitation.
Return
Performed, presented, or taking place again
A return engagement of the ballet.
A return tennis match.
Return
Returning or affording return or recirculation
A return plumbing pipe.
A return valve.
Return
Reversing or changing direction.
Return
Having or formed by a reversal or change in direction; returning on itself, as a bend in a road or stream.
Return
(intransitive) To come or go back (to a place or person).
Although the birds fly north for the summer, they return here in winter.
Return
(intransitive) To go back in thought, narration, or argument.
To return to my story...
Return
(intransitive) To recur; to come again.
Winter returns every year.
Return
To turn back, retreat.
Return
To turn (something) round.
Return
(transitive) To place or put back something where it had been.
Please return your hands to your lap.
Return
(transitive) To give something back to its original holder or owner.
You should return the library book within one month.
Return
(transitive) To take back something to a vendor for a complete or partial refund.
Yeah, it's $600,000 but, if it doesn't work, you can always return it. As long as it's undamaged and in the original packaging, I'll give you a full refund.
Return
To give in requital or recompense; to requite.
Return
(tennis) To bat the ball back over the net in response to a serve.
The player couldn't return the serve because it was so fast.
Return
(card games) To play a card as a result of another player's lead.
If one players plays a trump, the others must return a trump.
Return
(cricket) To throw a ball back to the wicket-keeper (or a fielder at that position) from somewhere in the field.
Return
(transitive) To say in reply; to respond.
To return an answer;
To return thanks;
"Do it yourself!" she returned.
Return
To relinquish control to the calling procedure.
Return
To pass (data) back to the calling procedure.
This function returns the number of files in the directory.
Return
To retort; to throw back.
To return the lie
Return
(transitive) To report, or bring back and make known.
To return the result of an election
Return
To elect according to the official report of the election officers.
Return
The act of returning.
I expect the house to be spotless upon my return.
Return
A return ticket.
Do you want a one-way or a return?
Return
An item that is returned, e.g. due to a defect, or the act of returning it.
Last year there were 250 returns of this product, an improvement on the 500 returns the year before.
Return
An answer.
A return to one's question
Return
An account, or formal report, of an action performed, of a duty discharged, of facts or statistics, etc.; especially, in the plural, a set of tabulated statistics prepared for general information.
Election returns; a return of the amount of goods produced or sold
Return
Gain or loss from an investment.
It yielded a return of 5%.
Return
A report of income submitted to a government for purposes of specifying exact tax payment amounts; a tax return.
Hand in your return within 90 days of the end of the tax year.
Return
(computing) A carriage return character.
Return
(computing) The act of relinquishing control to the calling procedure.
Return
(computing) A return value: the data passed back from a called procedure.
Return
A return pipe, returning fluid to a boiler or other central plant (compare with flow pipe, which carries liquid away from a central plant).
The boiler technician had to cut out the heating return to access the safety valve.
Return
A short perpendicular extension of a desk, usually slightly lower.
Return
(American football) The act of catching a ball after a punt and running it back towards the opposing team.
Return
(cricket) A throw from a fielder to the wicket-keeper or to another fielder at the wicket.
Return
(architecture) The continuation in a different direction, most often at a right angle, of a building, face of a building, or any member, such as a moulding; applied to the shorter in contradistinction to the longer.
A facade of sixty feet east and west has a return of twenty feet north and south.
Return
To turn back; to go or come again to the same place or condition.
On their embattled ranks the waves return.
If they returned out of bondage, it must be into a state of freedom.
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Return
To come back, or begin again, after an interval, regular or irregular; to appear again.
With the yearSeasons return; but not me returnsDay or the sweet approach of even or morn.
Return
To speak in answer; to reply; to respond.
He said, and thus the queen of heaven returned.
Return
To revert; to pass back into possession.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David.
Return
To go back in thought, narration, or argument.
Return
To bring, carry, send, or turn, back; as, to return a borrowed book, or a hired horse.
Both fled attonce, ne ever back returned eye.
Return
To repay; as, to return borrowed money.
Return
To give in requital or recompense; to requite.
The Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.
Return
To give back in reply; as, to return an answer; to return thanks.
Return
To retort; to throw back; as, to return the lie.
If you are a malicious reader, you return upon me, that I affect to be thought more impartial than I am.
Return
To report, or bring back and make known.
And all the people answered together, . . . and Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
Return
To render, as an account, usually an official account, to a superior; to report officially by a list or statement; as, to return a list of stores, of killed or wounded; to return the result of an election.
Return
Hence, to elect according to the official report of the election officers.
Return
To bring or send back to a tribunal, or to an office, with a certificate of what has been done; as, to return a writ.
Return
To convey into official custody, or to a general depository.
Instead of a ship, he should levy money, and return the same to the treasurer for his majesty's use.
Return
To bat (the ball) back over the net.
Return
To lead in response to the lead of one's partner; as, to return a trump; to return a diamond for a club.
Return
The act of returning (intransitive), or coming back to the same place or condition; as, the return of one long absent; the return of health; the return of the seasons, or of an anniversary.
At the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.
His personal return was most required and necessary.
Return
That which is returned.
I do expect returnOf thrice three times the value of this bond.
Return
An answer; as, a return to one's question.
The fruit from many days of recreation is very little; but from these few hours we spend in prayer, the return is great.
Return
The continuation in a different direction, most often at a right angle, of a building, face of a building, or any member, as a molding or mold; - applied to the shorter in contradistinction to the longer; thus, a facade of sixty feet east and west has a return of twenty feet north and south.
Return
The rendering back or delivery of writ, precept, or execution, to the proper officer or court.
Return
An official account, report, or statement, rendered to the commander or other superior officer; as, the return of men fit for duty; the return of the number of the sick; the return of provisions, etc.
Return
The turnings and windings of a trench or mine.
Return
Document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability;
His gross income was enough that he had to file a tax return
Return
A coming to or returning home;
On his return from Australia we gave him a welcoming party
Return
The occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
Return
Getting something back again;
Upon the restitution of the book to its rightful owner the child was given a tongue lashing
Return
The act of returning to a prior location;
They set out on their return to the base camp
Return
The income arising from land or other property;
The average return was about 5%
Return
Happening again (especially at regular intervals);
The return of spring
Return
A quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one);
It brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher
Return
The key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed
Return
A reciprocal group action;
In return we gave them as good as we got
Return
A tennis stroke that returns the ball to the other player;
He won the point on a cross-court return
Return
(American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
Return
The act of someone appearing again;
His reappearance as Hamlet has been long awaited
Return
Come back to place where one has been before, or return to a previous activity
Return
Give back;
Render money
Return
Go back to a previous state;
We reverted to the old rules
Return
Go back to something earlier;
This harks back to a previous remark of his
Return
Bring back to the point of departure
Return
Return in kind;
Return a compliment
Return her love
Return
Make a return;
Return a kickback
Return
Answer back
Return
Be restored;
Her old vigor returned
Return
Pay back;
Please refund me my money
Return
Pass down;
Render a verdict
Deliver a judgment
Return
Elect again
Return
Return to a previous position; in mathematics;
The point returned to the interior of the figure
Return
Give or supply;
The cow brings in 5 liters of milk
This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn
The estate renders some revenue for the family
Return
Submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority;
Submit a bill to a legislative body
Common Curiosities
Can you explain sending an email?
Sending an email involves transmitting your message electronically to a recipient's email address.
What is a return policy?
A return policy is a set of rules a retailer provides to manage returns and exchanges of purchased items.
How does sending a package work?
Sending a package involves packaging it and choosing a postal or courier service to deliver it to the intended recipient.
What does it mean to return something?
Returning something means sending it back to its original location or owner.
Is there a difference between returning and exchanging?
Yes, returning involves sending back an item, often for a refund, while exchanging involves trading it for another item.
What does 'return on investment' mean?
Return on investment measures the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to the amount of money invested.
What are typical reasons for returning an item?
Typical reasons include defects, dissatisfaction, or the wrong size.
How do you send a letter?
To send a letter, write your message, address the envelope, affix postage, and drop it in a mailbox.
Can sending be anonymous?
Yes, sending can be anonymous depending on the method and details provided during dispatch.
What is the process for returning a purchase?
This involves contacting the seller and then send the request for return.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
