pay·back 
/ˈpeɪˌbæk/ noun
plural pay·backs /ˈpeɪˌbæk/ noun 1 [noncount] : punishment for something that was done in the past
▪ This is payback [=this is my revenge] for all the pain you've caused me. ▪ They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback. ▪ You've ruined my life, and now it's payback time. [=now I'm going to hurt you because you hurt me] — see also pay back at 1pay 2 [count] : an amount of money that you receive after investing in something and that is equal to or greater than the amount of money that you originally invested — usually singular ▪ The investment has yielded a big payback for the company. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ While these cars are expensive, there's a significant payback in terms of safety. [=the safety of the cars make them worth their high cost] 3 [count] : the amount of time that passes before invested money is returned or before money that is owed is paid — usually singular ▪ a five-year payback ▪ The payback period is expected to be less than six months on this investment. ▪ The loan calls for a two-year payback period.
▪ This is payback [=this is my revenge] for all the pain you've caused me. ▪ They beat our team last year, so we've got to beat them this year as payback. ▪ You've ruined my life, and now it's payback time. [=now I'm going to hurt you because you hurt me] — see also pay back at 1pay
