Return refers to the act of moving a card back into a different location, either as a cost or by an effect (that uses this term). Shuffling a card back into the Deck is also considered as a return.

Most of this act based on returning cards form the field to the hand or Deck. These include cards like "Compulsory Evacuation Device", "Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier" and "Raiza the Storm Monarch".

Some cards leave a lingering effect which returns a banished card back into the field or hand later on in the Duel. These include "Rallis the Star Bird", "Interdimensional Matter Transporter" and "Lightforce Sword". When a monster is returned to the field, it is not considered to be a Summon of any kind, so cards which respond to a Summon cannot be used and cards which prevent Summons will not affect a return. These include "Solemn Judgment", "Solemn Warning", "Torrential Tribute", "Bottomless Trap Hole" and "Black Garden".

In the case of returning a banished card to the Graveyard, returning is not considered to be sending a card to the Graveyard. Thus, "Miracle Dig" and "Fortune's Future" can be used to return monsters to the Graveyard even if "Macro Cosmos" is active; the returned monster will not be banished again.

When a monster is destroyed by battle during the Damage Step, or when a Normal Spell Card, a Quick-Play Spell Card, a Ritual Spell Card, or a Normal Trap Card is activated, you cannot chain an effect that would return those cards from the field to the hand or Deck. Exceptions include cards that remain on the field after activation such as "Swords of Revealing Light" or "Kunai with Chain".