show business

noun

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of show business

: the arts, occupations, and businesses (such as theater, motion pictures, and television) that comprise the entertainment industry

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Examples of show business in a Sentence

She has been in show business for over 30 years.
actors trying to break into show business

Recent Examples of show business from the Web

Tributes to Shore poured in on social media, with many performers celebrating the mentor who gave them their first start in show business.

— eli meixler, Time, "Mitzi Shore, the 'Legendary Godmother' of Stand-Up Comedy, Has Died Aged 87," 12 Apr. 2018
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ quarterly Energy Survey showed business activity increasing modestly, while the Dallas Fed said almost all of its indexes increased during the quarter.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "Dallas Fed: Oil and gas activity in Texas continues to expand," 28 Mar. 2018
In Hader’s dark vision of the world, even contract killers suffer under the cruel caprices of show business.

— rachel syme, The New Republic, "HBO’s "Barry" refreshes elements of noir, as a hitman dreams of Hollywood.," 23 Mar. 2018
Since then, Campbell has continued in show business.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Archive Dive / Film / Hip-Hop / Music / Religion How Don "Magic" Juan, king of the pimps, found Jesus and Hollywood quasi-celebrity," 22 Mar. 2018
While Democrats pine for Barack Obama to play a key role, he’s shown more interest in the show business that produced his successor.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Both political parties are more dysfunctional than Trump White House," 21 Mar. 2018
While Democrats pine for Barack Obama to play a key role, he's shown more interest in the show business that produced his successor.

— andrew malcolm, Anchorage Daily News, "Both political parties are more dysfunctional than Trump White House," 21 Mar. 2018
After all the years, after all the awards given for achievements in show business, Oscar is still number one.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Jimmy Kimmel's Oscar Monologue Set the Stage for an Impassioned Night in Hollywood," 5 Mar. 2018
After all the years, after all the awards given for achievements in show business, Oscar is still number one.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jimmy Kimmel Roasts Harvey Weinstein, Last Year's Best Picture Flub, and Mike Pence in Oscars 2018 Opener," 5 Mar. 2018

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