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

In some cases, entire families sign up to record video, speech and images for AI training to supplement their income. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have another qualifying disability. —Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Mar. 2026

The Florida Senate has unanimously approved money to help bridge a funding gap in a state program that provides life-saving HIV/AIDS medication andpayment assistance to nearly 30,000 low-income residents. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026

Or your income would have to go up by 100%, or home prices would have to drop by 30%. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 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
• 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