profit and loss

American  

[prof-it uhn laws, los] / ˈprɒf ɪt ən ˈlɔs, ˈlɒs /

noun

Business.

1. the gain and loss arising from commercial or other transactions, applied especially to an account or statement of account in bookkeeping showing gains and losses in business.

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profit and loss British  

noun

1. accounting an account compiled at the end of a financial year showing that year's revenue and expense items and indicating gross and net profit or loss

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Etymology

Origin of profit and loss

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Cargo theft hits companies of all sizes, but small businesses are particularly vulnerable because one lost shipment can mean the difference between profit and loss.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

Indeed, In the last quarter, performance from OpenAI accounted for greater than 96% of the SVF2’s profit and loss calculation, according to SoftBank.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 21, 2025

But like many other small businesses in Los Angeles, we measure success and derive value beyond just profit and loss.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2024

Treasury bonds swung wildly following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the trading desk at Legal & General Investment Management hit its top limits for both profit and loss several times in a single day.

From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2023

The end of every month also happened to be when Wall Street traders sent their profit and loss statements to their managers and risk managers.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis