capital gain

noun

: the increase in value of an asset (such as stock or real estate) between the time it is bought and the time it is sold

Examples of capital gain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Massachusetts does not tax Social Security income, but other income, including earnings, withdrawals from pre-tax accounts, and capital gains, is taxable. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

And because the shares are given away rather than sold, the donor never triggers the capital gains tax a sale would incur. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Additionally, investors who put realized capital gains from another investment in the fund have been able to defer paying taxes on that money. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 26 July 2026

This strategy avoids capital gains taxes and maintains market exposure and dividend income. — Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for capital gain

• cyclopropane
• legerdemain
• nitromethane
• ultramontane
• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine

Legal Definition

capital gain

see also:

gain