revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈre-və-ˌnü 

-ˌnyü

often attributive

1

: the total income produced by a given source

a property expected to yield a large annual revenue

2

: the gross income returned by an investment

3

: the yield of sources of income (such as taxes) that a political unit (such as a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury for public use

4

: a government department concerned with the collection of the national revenue

Synonyms of revenue

• income
• profit
• proceeds
• earnings
• return
• yield
• incoming(s)

Examples of revenue in a Sentence

The factory lost revenue because of the strike by the workers.

The firm is looking for another source of revenue.

Government officials have reported a decrease in revenue.

state and federal tax revenues

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the summer, Kansas lawmakers voted to extend a law authorizing a financing plan to help pay for up to 70% of the cost of a new stadium, which would use bonds that would be paid back with future sales tax revenue from development. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025

This contraction signals that while revenues are still coming in, the cost of doing business is eating away at margins faster than sales can compensate. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025

Fourth-quarter revenue, however, topped expectations. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

Spending on public transit upgrades tied to revenue from New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program took a big step forward, even as a federal court challenge over it plays out in court. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, return, revenue, from Anglo-French, from revenir to return, from Latin revenire, from re- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revenue

• revenue bond
• revenue cutter
• revenue stamp
• revenue tariff

Rhymes for revenue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈrev-ə-ˌn(y)ü 

1

: the income produced by a given source

2

: the income that a government collects for public use

Legal Definition

revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈre-və-ˌnü, -ˌnyü 

often attributive

1

: the total income produced by a given source

a property expected to yield a large annual revenue

2

: the gross income returned by an investment

3

: the yield of sources of income (as taxes) that a political unit (as a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury for public use

4

: a government department concerned with the collection of national revenue