profit: Meaning and Definition of

prof•it

Pronunciation: (prof'it), [key]
— n.
  1. Often,
    1. pecuniary gain resulting from the employment of capital in any transaction. Cf.gross profit, net profit.
    2. the ratio of such pecuniary gain to the amount of capital invested.
    3. returns, proceeds, or revenue, as from property or investments.
  2. the monetary surplus left to a producer or employer after deducting wages, rent, cost of raw materials, etc.: The company works on a small margin of profit.
  3. advantage; benefit; gain.
—v.i.
  1. to gain an advantage or benefit: He profited greatly from his schooling.
  2. to make a profit.
  3. to take advantage: to profit from the weaknesses of others.
  4. to be of service or benefit.
  5. to make progress.
—v.t.
  1. to be of advantage or profit to: Nothing profits one so much as a sound education.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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