for-profit

adjective

for-prof·​it ˈfȯr-ˈprä-fət 

: established, maintained, or conducted for the purpose of making a profit

for-profit businesses

Examples of for-profit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, a number of states prohibit or severely limit for-profit debt settlement agencies. — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Unlike moderators at for-profit platforms, Wikipedia cannot simply hire more administrators. — Ryan McGrady, The Conversation, 25 June 2026

Conversely, for-profit sales legislation is linked to higher use, addiction, and psychiatric admissions. — Sarah Sinclair, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

But skeptics of Elliott’s plans say there is little precedent in the modern era of municipalities, or even states, wresting control from private for-profit utilities. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for for-profit

• nonprofit
• profit
• prophet
• soffit

Kids Definition

for-profit

adjective

for-prof·​it

ˈfȯr-ˈpräf-ət

: existing or carried on for the purpose of making a profit

for-profit business