business

noun, often attributive busi·ness \ ˈbiz-nəs , -nəz , Southern also ˈbid- \

Definition of business

1 archaic :purposeful activity :busyness

2 a :role, function

how the human mind went about its business of learning
—H. A. Overstreet

b :an immediate task or objective :mission

what is your business here

c :a particular field of endeavor

the best in the business

3 a :a usually commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood :trade, line

in the restaurant business

b :a commercial or sometimes an industrial enterprise; also :such enterprises

the business district

c :dealings or transactions especially of an economic nature :patronage

took their business elsewhere

4 :affair, matter

the whole business got out of hand

business as usual

5 :creation, concoction

6 :movement or action (such as lighting a cigarette) by an actor intended especially to establish atmosphere, reveal character, or explain a situation — called also stage business

7 a :personal concern

none of your business

b :right

you have no business speaking to me that way

8 a :serious activity requiring time and effort and usually the avoidance of distractions

got down to business

b :maximum effort

9 a :a damaging assault

b :rebuke, tongue-lashing

c :double cross

10 :a bowel movement —used especially of pets

See business defined for English-language learners

See business defined for kids

Examples of business in a Sentence

Forever Odd is a direct sequel to 2003's Odd Thomas, the book in which we were introduced to the title character, a young man who can see the dead. They can't talk to him, but they can nudge him in the direction they want, which is usually to help them tidy up some unfinished business from when they were alive. —Charles De Lint, Fantasy & Science Fiction, May 2006
The Sun may never set, but air temperatures can plummet to -4 degrees Fahrenheit, and blinding snowstorms appear without warning. Sunbathing here can be risky business: even huddled in our parkas and boots, the members of our expedition live under the constant threat of frostbite and hypothermia. —Terrie M. Williams, Natural History, October 2003
Such high attrition means that most of the dot-coms here today will be gone tomorrow. The business environment is already harsh, and competition is growing. —Ann Thayer, Chemical & Engineering News, 5 June 2000
Lancaster and Columbia have plenty of history apart from the Civil War, of course. For example, Lancaster was home to F.W. Woolworth's first successful 5&10 and Milton S. Hershey's first successful candy business. —Lancaster New Era, 2 July 1996
The store has lost a significant amount of business since the factory closed.
She works in the publishing business.
David has decided to go into business with his brother.
Their publishing company is the best in the business.
I have to go to New York City on business next week.
They advertised to increase business.
He has the skills necessary to run a business.
The town is trying to attract new businesses.
Do we have any other business we need to discuss?
No, I didn't ask him what he wanted the car for. That's his business.

Recent Examples of business from the Web

Visit FloridaDisaster.org for create your family (or business) emergency plan as well as for sample supply lists, important contacts and many other resources.

— rebecca mcbane, South Florida Parenting, "Don't Wait for the Storm: The most important step in a Family Emergency Plan is to make one," 30 Aug. 2017
Round-trip business class tickets start at $5,271.10 and economy tickets start at $786.10.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "LAX is Getting Hong Kong Airlines’ First Nonstop Flight to the Continental U.S.," 30 Aug. 2017
He is now charged with three felony counts of burglary in connection with the March 10 break-ins at two strip mall businesses at 1100 N. Sherman St., just north of Ogden Avenue.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "'Habitual criminal' sought in Naperville strip mall burglaries," 29 Aug. 2017
Cops last month arrested Novick after Mango’s owner David Wallack released surveillance video that showed a shirtless Novick crossing an alley between the two businesses and swiping some towels from a bin outside Mango’s.

— david ovalle and charles rabin, miamiherald, "It’s a South Beach feud over liquor and dirty towels. But the arrest case is over," 28 Aug. 2017
The family started a lumber business on the property after the Civil War.

— mark miller, National Review, "The Feds and the Frog: Private Landowners Stand to Lose on 1,500 Acres," 28 Aug. 2017
SIU is one of the patent holders of the vaccine and set up a business account to collect donations for the work.

— marisa taylor, Kaiser Health News, "Offshore Human Testing Of Herpes Vaccine Stokes Debate Over U.S. Safety Rules," 28 Aug. 2017
Even though her a 60-year career in show business was built on comedy routines and jokes which made fun of her lousy cooking and dread of cleaning and raising children, nothing could be further from the truth about the real Phyllis.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Century celebration for funny friend Phyllis Diller," 25 Aug. 2017
It’s been operating without a chief and lots of other top executives for months, but that doesn’t seem to be affecting its business.

— farhad manjoo and mike isaac, New York Times, "Farhad and Mike’s Week in Review: Apple’s Self-Driving Shift," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'business.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of business

Middle English bisynesse, from bisy busy + -nesse -ness

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

business Synonyms

Synonyms

custom, patronage

Synonym Discussion of business

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities. business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale. traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

synonyms see in addition work

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

BUSINESS Defined for English Language Learners

business

noun

Definition of business for English Language Learners

: the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or providing services in exchange for money
: work that is part of a job
: the amount of activity that is done by a store, company, factory, etc.