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

Things are expected to get better still in 2025, with Wells Fargo guiding for net interest income growth of 1% to 3% in 2025 compared to 2024 led by an improvement in loan demand as well as lower costs for deposits. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

In Utah, Governor Spencer Cox has proposed an elimination of state taxes on Social Security income. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Carter's partner, the Capital Area Food Bank, has already done the math on what might happen if the Trump administration tightens income eligibility for SNAP. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025

Other busy streets have gone through similar improvements, but many are in higher income neighborhoods such as Land Park and East Sacramento. —Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 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

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