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 $30,000 a year

2

: a coming in : entrance, influx

fluctuations in the nutrient income of a body of water

Synonyms

• earnings
• gain(s)
• incoming(s)
• proceeds
• profit
• return
• revenue
• yield

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 group’s net income rose 18% to 10.3 billion pesos in 2024 and Shin forecasts the net income will steadily increase to 11.9 billion pesos in 2025, 15 billion pesos in 2026 and reach 19 billion pesos in 2027. —Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

Civil rights groups attacked Noem, pointing out that the watch was a flaunting of income disparity between the U.S. and El Salvador. —James Powel, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025

Typically, for example, their income and savings decline. —Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Keep your eyes open, then look for ways to boost your income or shop for something that pleases you. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing 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