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small business

American

[smawl biz-nis] / ˈsmɔl ˈbɪz nɪs /

noun

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.

Etymology

Origin of small business

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Residents in East L.A. are weighing the promise of a new Metro E Line extension with concerns over construction disruptions, small business impacts and whether more outreach is needed about the project.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

Although robotics is currently a small business compared with AI data centers, Barron’s has noted that Wall Street is betting on explosive growth.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

“More small business owners are struggling with significant and unpredictable hikes in fuel prices, which are more challenging for small businesses to pass on to their customers compared to their larger corporate competitors,” Dunkelberg added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Kristine Ruff, a small business owner who lives in the area, was getting her hair done at a local salon.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

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

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023