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

But child care for two children would cost well over $1,000 a month per child — a daunting expense for a family suddenly relying on a single income. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026

The report also showed Uthmeier collected $18,000 in rental income from a Plaza Tower condominium in Tallahassee appraised at $424,000. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 10 June 2026

But many of these top schools are also addressing the college affordability crisis head-on by offering more generous financial aid packages, with some even covering the entire cost for low-income families. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 June 2026

Rural residents of the province had per capita income of 13,052 yuan ($1,927) in 2020, while rural residents in China's wealthy province Zhejiang had income of 31,930 yuan ($4,714) in 2020. —ABC News, 10 June 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