small business

American  

[smawl biz-nis] / ˈsmɔl ˈbɪz nɪs /

noun

1. a profit-seeking enterprise or concern that is independently owned and operated, has a limited number of employees, and is not nationally dominant in its field.

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Etymology

Origin of small business

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Ramaphosa said efforts would be made to ensure all informal shops were properly registered by the small business development department.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

The Fed Bank of Chicago said that small business intermediaries reported greater uncertainty on the part of their clients, who were increasingly reluctant to take on debt to start or grow their businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

It has sparked condemnation from small business groups and investors who accuse Canberra of penalising wealth creators.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

For years, you’ve been telling yourself something every time you supported a small business – that your dollars meant something, that you weren’t pouring every dollar into the same handful of giants.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Thomas Volpe owned his own small business, a tavern called the Rex Café.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove