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

Low-income borrowers carried auto loan debt balances that were nearly $4,000 higher, on average, than households with earnings above roughly $175,000, the organizations found. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 May 2026

The developers plan to build 288 townhomes and condos priced for middle-income families. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026

For the current tax year, for example, couples earning up to $24,800 in taxable income will owe 10% of it in federal personal income tax. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

The company’s entertainment streaming operation posted an 88% leap in operating income, reaching $582 million. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 May 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
• succumb
• therefrom
• wherefrom
• abomasum
• bum
• chum
• come
• crum

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