The act of one who returns; a coming back.
"The returning of the stolen jewels to their rightful owner was celebrated by the entire community."
"The returning of the books was done before the library closed."
Usage: Use this noun to describe the specific instance or journey of someone going back, rather than using it as an adjective before another noun like return does in phrases such as a return ticket. It is most common when referring to the event itself within formal contexts where a distinction between the action and the actor must be made.
present participle of return
"The returning bus driver waved as he pulled into the depot after a long shift."
In plain English: Returning means going back to where you started or giving something back to the person who owns it.
"She is returning home after her long trip."
Derived from Old French retourner, this term combines re- (again) with tourner (to turn), originally meaning to go back or come round. It evolved into Middle English as the participle of "return," signifying an action performed repeatedly or a movement in reverse.