plural profits
1
: money that is made in a business, through investing, etc., after all the costs and expenses are paid : a financial gain
The company made/turned a profit this year.
Profits are up/down from last year.
There was a rise/fall/increase/decrease in profits this year.
The profits from CD sales were donated to charity.
We sold the house at a profit. [=we made a profit when we sold our house]
The organization is not run for profit.
The film made $1,000,000 in profit.
2
formal
: the advantage or benefit that is gained from doing something
The book can be read with profit by anyone who wants to understand how the system works.
profits; profited; profiting
1
a
: to get an advantage or benefit from something
—often + by or from
He profited by his experience/mistake. [=he learned something useful from his experience/mistake]
Everyone can profit from reading this book.
b
: to be an advantage to (someone) : to help (someone)
It would profit him to take some computer classes.
2
: to earn or get money by or from something
The company has profited by selling its products online.
He profited greatly from his investments.
The island profits from tourism.
Cite this Entry
“Profit.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/profit. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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