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

Prop 40’s critics have warned the tax is unlikely to be a one-time deal and also raised alarms about the forms of wealth that would be targeted, such as unrealized capital gains and privately held stock that’s key for startups. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

After surging for two years during the pandemic, tax revenues fell sharply in 2022-23, reflecting several factors including stock market losses that weakened capital gains income and related tax payments. — Chaewon Chung updated October 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

This increases the original purchase price of the investment to current fair market value, Lucas said, which may help reduce capital gains taxes in the future. — Jessica Dickler,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

That may affect tax brackets, Social Security taxation, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, state taxes, capital gains planning and cash flow. — Ronald Stair, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 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