income

noun

in·​come ˈin-ˌkəm 

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 80,000 a year

a two-income family

2

: a coming in : entrance, influx

fluctuations in the nutrient income of a body of water

Synonyms of income

• revenue
• profit

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

Since then, the proposal has grown to 192 apartments, with 29 of them to be reserved for qualified low-income households. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

This fund has already deployed nearly $300 million, notably clearing property tax debt for 20,000 low-income homeowners, showcasing deep operational investment beyond mere donations. — Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

That these Americans tend to be lower income and often nonwhite is just an extra for MAGA, which would love to specifically disenfranchise these constituencies. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Short-term gains — profits on investments held for a year or less — are taxed as ordinary income. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing income

• adjusted gross income
• discretionary income
• disposable income
• income account
• income bond
• income tax
• (income) tax return
• low-income housing
• national income
• negative income tax

Rhymes for income

• become
• checksum
• humdrum
• outcome
• pisum
• succumb
• therefrom
• wherefrom
• abomasum
• bum
• chum
• come

Kids Definition

income

noun

in·​come ˈin-ˌkəm 

: 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