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 $30,000 a year

2

: a coming in : entrance, influx

fluctuations in the nutrient income of a body of water

Synonyms

• 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

His communities have a variety of housing options that hit price points for buyers that make between 80 and 120 percent of average median income. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

To be eligible, adults must have an income below the federal poverty level, which is $15,650 per year for an individual, or $26,650 per year for a family of three. —Jess Mador, NPR, 28 July 2025

Po forma net income of $134.8 million showed a $41 million loss at Hulu + Live TV and a $188.5 million profit at Fubo, inflated by a $220 million gain that was part of the settlement with Disney, WBD and Fox. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 July 2025

Take education, one of the most powerful predictors of income. —Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing 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