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

The company had a negative cash flow of $65 million in the fourth quarter, people familiar with the matter said—high even for a period when it spent big to release multiple films.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

This means Meta’s need for robust cash flow won’t abate anytime soon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The key is the payout ratio—the dividend compared with a company’s net income or free cash flow.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Capex will outpace revenue growth in the build-out phase, resulting in short-term pressures on free cash flow, Jassy acknowledged.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 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