Definition of "rate of return" [rate of return]

• The amount returned per unit of time expressed as a percentage of the cost (noun)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "A prefeasibility analysis estimated a 15% internal rate of return after taxes, with a positive cash flow from the second year on."
• "Vision 1: Investors accept a below-market rate of return in exchange for the privilege of supporting Lufthansas good works."
• "You could probably get this rate of return by investing in carefully selected discounted mortgages [see chapter 12], well-selected rare coins [see chapter 13], or real estate [see chapter 6]."