business

noun, often attributive

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

Sarita Yardi Schoenebeck, a professor at the University of Michigan and the director of its Living Online Lab, is less concerned with how parents use Life360, than with the app’s business model. — Louise Matsakis, WIRED, "On TikTok, Teens Meme the Safety App Ruining Their Summer," 12 July 2019 The retailer has slashed costs aggressively, cut jobs and sold assets in pursuit of a sustainable business model. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Fred's to close another 129 stores as future looks grim: see the store closure list," 12 July 2019 On the second, Sweet has been one of the leaders of efforts, including The Fortune CEO Initiative, to maximize the positive impact of business on society. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Accenture’s New CEO Takes On Digital Disruption, and Diversity: CEO Daily," 12 July 2019 The business model was eventually augmented to include selling directly to consumers. — Richard Sandomir, New York Times, "Andrew Dibner, Medical Alert Pioneer, Is Dead at 93," 11 July 2019 Data have always been the lifeblood of the insurance industry whose business model depends on measuring risk as accurately as possible. — Allison Schrager, Quartz, "In a world awash with information, power comes from knowing what data not to use," 10 July 2019 The state’s analysis determined PrimaryHealth’s business model was unsustainable, Allen said. — oregonlive.com, "Trillium, PacificSource win in $6 billion CCO beauty contest," 9 July 2019 The business model only works as long as the industry is able to offload costs. — David Roberts, Vox, "Coal left Appalachia devastated. Now it’s doing the same to Wyoming.," 9 July 2019 Hardware accounted for about 80% of the computer business, Perot said, and IBM wasn't interested in the other 20%, including services. — David Koenig, Anchorage Daily News, "H. Ross Perot, Texas billionaire and presidential candidate, dies at 89," 9 July 2019

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.