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

Especially in border regions, where the median household income is less than fifty thousand dollars, many Latinos see these jobs as one of the best routes to upward mobility. — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Multiplying your annual income by 10 or even 15 times, could give you a large enough amount to complete your debt obligations and leave beneficiaries with a commensurate salary amount in your absence for a decade or longer. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The complaint further alleges that Johnson did not list the companies as a source of income on her statement of economic interest filed with Kane County. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

The money would be earmarked mostly for the health care of low-income Californians, to help offset federal cuts to Medicaid. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 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
• gross income
• imputed 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