noun
General noun for returning, a reaction, or recovery. Often used in compounds like 戻り道 (return path) or 戻りが悪い (poor recovery/reaction).
彼の戻りを待っている。
I'm waiting for his return.
このスイッチは戻りが遅い。
This switch has a slow return (reaction).
noun
Computing term: the value or control returned from a function or procedure.
関数の戻り値を変数に代入する。
Assign the return value of the function to a variable.
返り also means return, but is more literary or used in specific compounds like 返り討ち (retaliation). 戻り is the common, everyday term for returning.
Noun form of the verb 戻る (もどる, to return). The kanji 戻 means 'return' or 'go back'.