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

The income restrictions keep out Wall Street types, and the flip tax is meant to weed out speculators and investment buyers. —Clio Chang, Curbed, 3 June 2026

Previously thought to have been built by slaves, excavation has revealed the workers were Egyptian laborers from low-income families. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Hansi Flick’s squad needs trimming, and Barca also know that income through sales will be required to meet La Liga’s spending rules. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 3 June 2026

In turn, Bowen Homes was created to replace the older Buttermilk Bottom housing project in Old Fourth Ward, a mostly Black, low-income community. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 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