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

Despite not contributing to most stadium costs, such as stewarding, policing and pitch maintenance, they are entitled to keep all ticket income and a healthy share of catering revenue. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Still, the higher premiums will test these guardrails, said Héctor Hernández-Delgado, a director at the National Health Law Program, which advocates for quality healthcare for low-income people. —Sarah Kwon, CBS News, 20 May 2026

Beijing would need to shift income toward households, strengthen its social safety net, and rebalance its economy away from exports and investment toward household consumption. —Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026

Consensus estimates for Nvidia’s net income in fiscal 2027 — which ends in January — have risen by 13% over the past three months, while the view for revenue has climbed 12%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 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
• 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