income

noun

in·​come ˈin-ˌkəm How to pronounce income (audio)
 also  ˈin-kəm,
 or  ˈiŋ-kəm
1
: a gain or recurrent benefit usually measured in money that derives from capital or labor
also : the amount of such gain received in a period of time
has an income of $30,000 a year
2
: a coming in : entrance, influx
fluctuations in the nutrient income of a body of water

Examples of income in a Sentence

Any income from investments must be reported. Farming is his main source of income. Even on two incomes, we're having a hard time keeping up with our bills. He earns a good income as a consultant. What was the company's annual income?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By comparing deaths across countries that received low, medium and high amounts of USAID aid — while accounting for differences in population, income, education and other non-aid factors — the team was able to estimate the human effects of that aid. Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 1 July 2025 The West Coast city notched points for its low unemployment rate (3.1%) and high income growth. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 1 July 2025 Still, O’Leary insists that building wealth is less about income and more about habits. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025 More than 2,500 working age adults in the county with incomes lower than $20,820 a year also qualify, and would be among those most likely to lose coverage under current proposals. John Daley, NPR, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for income

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of income was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Income.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/income. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

income

noun
in·​come ˈin-ˌkəm How to pronounce income (audio)
: a gain usually measured in money that comes in from labor, business, or property

Legal Definition

income

noun
in·​come
: a gain or recurrent benefit usually measured in money that derives from capital or labor
also : the amount of such gain received in a period of time
an income of $20,000 a year

More from Merriam-Webster on income

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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