for-profit

adjective

for-prof·​it ˈfȯr-ˈprä-fət 

: 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

As Homma notes, both the Academy Museum and AMPAS are non-profits, so their financial motives are different than a for-profit company focused on P&L and returning capital to shareholders (though AMPAS, like any non-profit, wants to be on as sound financial footing as possible, as Kramer indicated). —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025

Some certificate holders may enter for-profit schools, but data from those institutions are less comprehensive than from public colleges. —Cathie Anderson updated December 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Dec. 2025

In some cases, trade schools are for-profit institutions and have been subjected to federal investigation for wrongdoing. —Shannon Pickett, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025

The for-profit university hired JLL and Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate Group to help sell its off-campus Vanguard Centre, a nearly 2-acre property in the city’s eastside. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for for-profit

• nonprofit
• profit
• prophet
• soffit

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