cash flow

American  

noun

1. the sum of the after-tax profit of a business plus depreciation and other noncash charges: used as an indication of internal funds available for stock dividends, purchase of buildings and equipment, etc.

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cash flow British  

noun

1. the movement of money into and out of a business

2. a prediction of such movement over a given period

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Etymology

Origin of cash flow

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Morgan Stanley identified 16 large-cap companies, including Centene, Deckers, and Airbnb, meeting specific cash and free cash flow criteria.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Its previously stated plan to spend as much as $190 billion this year on capital expenditures would still leave the company producing nearly $26 billion in free cash flow, based on current consensus estimates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

In a report Tuesday, Scotiabank analyst Nat Schindler said Google’s fundraising is a signal that next year’s free cash flow “is now much more likely to turn negative” for Google’s parent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Alphabet also generated $174 billion of operating cash flow in the 12 months that ended on March 31.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

He gobbled up the squash I bought him earlier, but my new cash flow didn’t convince him to stay.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins