agribusiness

ag·ri·busi·ness

noun \ˈa-grə-ˌbiz-nəs, -nəz\

Definition of AGRIBUSINESS

: an industry engaged in the producing operations of a farm, the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribution of farm commodities

Examples of AGRIBUSINESS

1. Several large agribusinesses own most of the farms around here.

Origin of AGRIBUSINESS

agriculture + business

First Known Use: circa 1955

agribusiness

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Agriculture operated by business; specifically, that part of a modern national economy devoted to the production, processing, and distribution of food and fibre products and byproducts. Commercial farming has largely supplanted the family farm in production of cash crops. Some food-processing firms that operate farms have begun to market fresh produce under their brand names. In recent years, conglomerates involved in nonagricultural businesses have entered agribusiness by buying and operating large farms.