for-profit

adjective

for-prof·​it ˈfȯr-ˈprä-fət How to pronounce for-profit (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Conversely, for-profit sales legislation is linked to higher use, addiction, and psychiatric admissions. Sarah Sinclair, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 The two houses on Taft Street took four years — a delay no for-profit developer would stomach. Mark Dee june 19, Idaho Statesman, 19 June 2026 The other for-profit hospitals didn’t respond to a request for comment by publication. Cassie McGrath, Fortune, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for for-profit

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of for-profit was in 1939

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“For-profit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for-profit. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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
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