income

noun

in·​come ˈin-ˌkəm How to pronounce income (audio)
 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 $30,000 a year
2
: a coming in : entrance, influx
fluctuations in the nutrient income of a body of water

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 The report also recommended increasing existing city programs meant to help residents in nearby neighborhoods stay in their homes like the priority repair program, which helps low income residents fix things like leaky roofs, air conditioning and water heater replacement. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024 Steve Hansen, the most moderate candidate, is mostly winning higher income areas. Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 26 Mar. 2024 Dollar Tree sees traffic from higher income consumers Dollar Tree executives said on the call that the demographics of their customers trended towards higher income brackets. James Powel, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024 The latest landmark is likely to be a reflection of rising income pressure on Portugal’s citizens and follows figures suggesting nearly a third of Gen Zers and millennials are choosing to leave the country. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 25 Mar. 2024 The Resolution Foundation, which studies the lives of people with low and middle incomes, is chaired by David Willetts, a former minister in Cameron’s government. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 Many young workers consider diversifying their income important, especially after watching jobs vanish during the pandemic or the course correction after. Danielle Abril, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024 For context, the U.S. personal median income (which includes 15 year olds and those without a degree at all) is $40,480. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024 Applicants must be members of the 100 Percenters community and must have at least two years of professional experience, have three or more commercial songwriting or producer credits, be a U.S. citizen, earn an annual income of less than $100,000 and submit verifiable proof of income. Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'income.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of income was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near income

Cite this Entry

“Income.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/income. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

income

noun
in·​come ˈin-ˌkəm How to pronounce income (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on income

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