tycoon

noun

ty·​coon tī-ˈkün How to pronounce tycoon (audio)
Synonyms of tycoon
1
a
: a businessperson of exceptional wealth, power, and influence : magnate
b
: a top leader (as in politics)
2
: shogun

Examples of tycoon in a Sentence

an oil tycoon who's widely considered the most powerful man in the county
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.
From Hong Kong to Seoul, tycoons are offering cash and perks to boost birth rates, testing whether private wealth can succeed where governments have struggled. Diana Li, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026 More Midwest Castle Experiences Missouri’s popular Ha Ha Tonka State Park holds the ruins of a business tycoon’s dream castle. Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026 Opening statements are set for Tuesday in Harvey Weinstein ’s New York rape retrial, offering a new jury its first look at a bellwether #MeToo case that remains unresolved nearly eight years after the former movie tycoon's arrest. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Here, Mo’s financial struggles come into focus as his failure to keep up payments leads to a possible loss of the house, bringing in Melvin Huffnagle as real estate tycoon Davis Harlan, who is buying the home. Amy Reyes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tycoon

Word History

Etymology

Japanese taikun

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tycoon was in 1857

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Cite this Entry

“Tycoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tycoon. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

tycoon

noun
ty·​coon tī-ˈkün How to pronounce tycoon (audio)
: a very wealthy and powerful business person
Etymology

Japanese taikun "shogun"

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