revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈre-və-ˌnü 

-ˌnyü

often attributive

1

: the total income produced by a given source

a property expected to yield a large annual revenue

2

: the gross income returned by an investment

3

: the yield of sources of income (such as taxes) that a political unit (such as a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury for public use

4

: a government department concerned with the collection of the national revenue

Synonyms

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

Examples of revenue in a Sentence

The factory lost revenue because of the strike by the workers.

The firm is looking for another source of revenue.

Government officials have reported a decrease in revenue.

state and federal tax revenues

Recent Examples on the Web

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. —William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025

Many apparel operations, including companies like NYC sock maker Bombas which was backed by Daymond John in 2014 and has had lifetime revenues in excess of $1 billion, contend producing in the U.S. was either logistically impossible or would make their products too expensive to sell. —Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Sounding at times more like progressive Democrats, Bannon’s flank sees a tax hike as a way not only to ensure wealthy Americans pay their fair share but to generate federal revenue. —Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

In Arkansas, revenue offices are opening their doors to people rushing to get REAL IDs. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, return, revenue, from Anglo-French, from revenir to return, from Latin revenire, from re- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revenue

• revenue bond
• revenue cutter
• revenue stamp
• revenue tariff

Rhymes for revenue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈrev-ə-ˌn(y)ü 

1

: the income produced by a given source

2

: the income that a government collects for public use

Legal Definition

revenue

noun

rev·​e·​nue ˈre-və-ˌnü, -ˌnyü 

often attributive

1

: the total income produced by a given source

a property expected to yield a large annual revenue

2

: the gross income returned by an investment

3

: the yield of sources of income (as taxes) that a political unit (as a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury for public use

4

: a government department concerned with the collection of national revenue