show business

noun

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

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 on the Web

But, perhaps due to their skepticism and healthy distance from show business, Gisondo’s parents had very specific rules that shaped his career. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Optimistic, too, even about the future of show business in uncertain times. — Ben Mankiewicz, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Panettiere’s show business peers mourned their colleague during an in memoriam segment during Monday’s night’s Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Mackie said his career grew out of a lifelong obsession with the glitz and glamour of show business. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for show business

• agribusiness
• nonbusiness

Kids Definition

show business

noun

: the arts, occupations, and companies that make up the entertainment industry