net income

American  

noun

1. the excess of revenues and gains of a business over expenses and losses during a given period of time.

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Etymology

Origin of net income

First recorded in 1760–70

Compare meaning

How does net-income compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gross income vs. net income

Example Sentences

Net income from continuing operations rose 13% to $121 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Net income rose to $346 million, or 38 cents per share, from $336 million, or 37 cents, a year earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Net income fell 6% to $752 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization slid 12% to $1.77 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Net income fell 6% to $752 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization slid 12% to $1.77 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Annual rents 60,218 1 6½ Expenditure 20,653 12 3 Net income 39,564 9 3½ Year ending at Michaelmas, 1891.   £ s. d.

From Norfolk Annals A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century, Vol. 2 by Mackie, Charles