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

Its 75 brands are deep with heritage, often centuries old, and generated revenues of over $93 billion in 2023, while Kering’s dozen or so properties are younger and produced over $21 billion in revenues last year. —Christina Binkley, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2024

Meta’s weaker outlook Facebook parent company Meta Platforms surpassed first-quarter earnings forecasts with revenue of $36.45 billion, marking a 27% increase year-over-year. —Detroit Free Press, 27 Apr. 2024

Additionally, higher taxes could make U.S. companies less competitive globally, risking revenue loss as some relocate operations abroad. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

Gretna’s fines and forfeitures include revenue from traffic cameras, which don’t go through mayor’s court. —Lee Zurik, ProPublica, 26 Apr. 2024

First Things First's main source of revenue, tobacco tax, has also been declining for years. —The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024

Its revenues for the first half of the current financial year were down 23.5%, while its losses last year amounted to £148 million ($184 million). —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

That’s less than half the 11.2% growth in subscription revenue. —Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024

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

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