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

According to the Northwestern Mutual survey, nearly three-quarters of Gen Z already have saved more than one year of income toward retirement. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

And, one of the most consistent and accessible of those breaks is the additional standard deduction available to taxpayers 65 and older, a benefit that quietly reduces taxable income for millions of seniors each year. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

City residents who make 50% to 80% of the area median income are eligible additional financial support for down payments or closing costs, the city said, and the program is not strictly limited to first-time homeowners. —Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026

Pay some attention to your career, whether that is by learning new skills to increase employability or exploring ways to boost income. —Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 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