big business

American  

noun

1. large business, commercial, and financial firms taken collectively, especially when considered as a group having shared attitudes and goals and exercising control over economic policy, politics, etc.

2. any large organization of a noncommercial nature resembling this.

3. any large business enterprise.

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big business British  

noun

1. large commercial organizations collectively, esp when considered as exploitative or socially harmful

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big business Cultural  

1. Large corporations, as opposed to small individually or family-owned businesses.

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Etymology

Origin of big business

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

big business

For the music industry, David Bowie is big business.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

For TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Nolan films are typically big business.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

More likely, it would persuade big business to pursue due diligence instead of profits over people and the environment.

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026

The deal is the latest indication of how financial products and services catering to American retirees and older workers have become big business on Wall Street.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

“Himself not especially susceptible to flattery except in a sentimental way, he soon learned its efficacy when plastered thick on big business men,” Sullivan wrote.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• business
• commerce
• corporation
• management
• production
• trade