revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈre-və-ˌnü How to pronounce revenue (audio)
-ˌnyü
Synonyms of revenuenext
often attributive
1
: the total income produced by a given source
a property expected to yield a large annual revenue
2
: the gross income returned by an investment
3
: the yield of sources of income (such as taxes) that a political unit (such as a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury for public use
4
: a government department concerned with the collection of the national revenue

Examples of revenue in a Sentence

The factory lost revenue because of the strike by the workers. The firm is looking for another source of revenue. Government officials have reported a decrease in revenue. state and federal tax revenues
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.
Below is a recap of the C-suite developments at America’s highest-revenue-generating companies announced between April 4–10, 2026, organized by sector. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026 The mood was one of general optimism; annual domestic box office revenue was still clocking in at north of $11 billion despite the rise of streaming. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026 The company relies on the US government for the largest share of its revenue, with contracts worth close to $900 million with the Pentagon last year, along with smaller contracts for ICE, as well as Treasury and other government agencies, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Government. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026 Bailey said his team had a handshake deal via Bucchino to take in 50% of concessions revenue, but that evaporated when the then-GM was fired. Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revenue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, return, revenue, from Anglo-French, from revenir to return, from Latin revenire, from re- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of revenue was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revenue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenue. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

revenue

noun
rev·​e·​nue ˈrev-ə-ˌn(y)ü How to pronounce revenue (audio)
1
: the income produced by a given source
2
: the income that a government collects for public use

Legal Definition

revenue

noun
rev·​e·​nue ˈre-və-ˌnü, -ˌnyü How to pronounce revenue (audio)
often attributive
1
: the total income produced by a given source
a property expected to yield a large annual revenue
2
: the gross income returned by an investment
3
: the yield of sources of income (as taxes) that a political unit (as a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury for public use
4
: a government department concerned with the collection of national revenue

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