business

noun, often attributive

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busi·ness | \ ˈbiz-nəs

, -nəz, Southern also ˈbid-

Definition of business

1a : 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

2a : 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 : affair, matter the whole business got out of hand business as usual

4a : personal concern none of your business

b : right you have no business speaking to me that way

5a : serious activity requiring time and effort and usually the avoidance of distractions got down to business

b : maximum effort

6 : creation, concoction

7 : 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

8a : a damaging assault

b : rebuke, tongue-lashing

c : double cross

9 : a bowel movement —used especially of pets

10 archaic : purposeful activity : busyness

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about business

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Get local business news updates from behind the scenes, delivered twice a week. — ExpressNews.com, "Express Briefing: The push to save S.A.'s historic energy-friendly homes," 19 Jan. 2021 The Packers took care of business first by beating the Rams at home on Saturday. — Andy Nesbitt, USA TODAY, "Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers thankfully gave us exactly what we wanted," 18 Jan. 2021 So much of business, and of life, was conducted from home offices and spare bedrooms while people sheltered from COVID-19. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Here are some of the biggest winners and losers among Mass. stocks in 2020," 17 Jan. 2021 Thanks to carryout and a $57,000 federal loan, Mr. Pappas managed to avoid going out of business when pandemic lockdowns forced him to suspend indoor dining from March to June. — Heather Haddon, WSJ, "More Restaurants Resist Indoor-Dining Bans as Restrictions Remain," 15 Jan. 2021 In today's business news: Costco has some sad news for analog photographers, Taco Bell is bringing back potatoes, and Petco is taking on Chewy. — Allison Morrow, CNN, "The power of pets: Chewy and Petco have become Wall Street darlings," 14 Jan. 2021 Through the pandemic, takeout has become a much bigger facet of the business, though the restaurant still also seats indoors following capacity limits. — Ian Mcnulty, NOLA.com, "Lilly’s Cafe will open second Magazine Street restaurant with 'the same heart, more soup'," 14 Jan. 2021 And while Coinbase still relies on trading for the lion's share of its revenue, the company has made headway in developing other lines of business. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, "Coinbase is pegged for a valuation of up to $75 billion. Is that realistic?," 14 Jan. 2021 Get the best in local business news sent straight to your inbox with the Cleveland Business Journal. — cleveland, "Steris to buy Cantel Medical in $3.6B deal to expand infection prevention portfolio," 13 Jan. 2021

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.