profit and loss

noun

: a summary account used at the end of an accounting period to collect the balances of the nominal accounts so that the net profit or loss may be shown

Examples of profit and loss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The company's profit and loss sheets back that up—Tesla was spending heavily on GPUs from Nvidia rather than on new car lines, although that was followed by news that Musk has had many of those GPUs redirected to his social media company X. —

Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Aug. 2024 Friday: Berkshire Hathaway, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron all share their tales of profit and loss. —

Peter Green, Quartz, 28 July 2024 The company did not appear to break out its net profit and loss figures by region. —

Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 25 July 2024 In fact, many companies today are limited by using the wrong metrics, focusing almost exclusively on the profit and loss statement, while overlooking the power of free cash flow and return on capital as key ingredients in total shareholder return. —

Michael J. Mauboussin, Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for profit and loss

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'profit and loss.' 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

1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of profit and loss was in 1553

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Profit and loss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profit%20and%20loss. Accessed 22 Sep. 2024.

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