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

Spending growth for lower-income Americans also outpaced high-income Americans’ in June, according to Bank of America Institute. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

In contrast, colleges that husbanded big endowments from wealthy alumni could rely on income from these assets to finance much of their college operations; tuition has been less important and can be waived for high-achieving prospective students. — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Earning a post-high school degree, whether an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree, is the single most common determinant in moving someone from low income to middle class. — Douglas A. Hicks, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Families and staff fought the plan for months, worried that the closures would disproportionately affect minority, low-income and special education students and harm all students’ academic and social well-being. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 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