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

In its earnings report last week, Affirm reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue and posted a surprise profit from the holiday period. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025

Some revenue has come in through hosting events such as musical and dance performances and a coffee attended by more than 130 people, McKelvey said. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

In 2024, more than 50% of channels earning at least $10,000 on YouTube generated revenue from sources other than ads and YouTube Premium, according to Mohan. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025

Rounding out the January revenue leaderboard were Grand Victoria in Elgin at fourth with $10.2 million and American Place in Waukegan at $9.4 million. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025

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