business end

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of business end

: the end with, from, or through which a thing's function is fulfilled

the business end of a revolver

See business end defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of business end from the Web

The 30,000-square-foot building at 2201 E. 46th St. is becoming a home for early-stage electricians, plumbers and other types of service providers that are good at performing work, but perhaps not as good at handling the business end.

— james briggs, Indianapolis Star, "Briggs: This Broad Ripple warehouse could help fix the hellscape of home service contractors," 6 Apr. 2018
Fuches handles the business end, and Barry uses his skills to take out guys who Barry tells himself are villains who deserve killing.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "Bill Hader shines in 'Barry,' HBO's daringly dark comedy," 23 Mar. 2018
Hair that’s not taut but has clearly been on the business end of a blow-dryer.

— sloane crosley, Vogue, "A Straight-Hair Manifesto: Why I’ll Never Break Up With the Blowout," 13 Mar. 2018
Their once promising diversification into the watch business ended as a flop, which nobody really wants to remember.

— Bloomberg.com, "Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Meets With President Trump," 27 Feb. 2018
Ouabain binds to the α unit, the catalytic business end.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Poison arrows inspire new male contraceptive, scientists report," 21 Jan. 2018
Williams’ area code scam is emblematic of the massive gap between the creative and business ends of the New Orleans music scene.

— chelsea brasted, NOLA.com, "Can New Orleans become a thriving music industry hub like Nashville?," 8 Mar. 2018
That’s because the dots of paint Jane has applied are smaller than the head of a pin and pointed, like the pin’s business end.

— david pagel, latimes.com, "From the tiniest of pinpoints of color, Xylor Jane creates pulsating patterns of life," 5 Feb. 2018
While American symphony orchestras face never-ending challenges on the business end, few major ensembles have taken it on the chin so badly yet fought their way back from virtual extinction so successfully as the Minnesota Orchestra.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "After a yearlong lockout, a revitalized Minnesota Orchestra hits the reset button," 23 Jan. 2018

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