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

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

The company has built up a big business providing home broadband services with Starlink, but it is also targeting corporate customers like airlines and cruise lines.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Pumping restrictions can also be more difficult for a grower with 20 acres than for a big business operating on thousands of acres.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Remakes are big business in the gaming industry - something gaming expert Christopher Dring said can come down to "financial necessity".

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

American universities, already beginning to enjoy the fruits of collaboration with big business, duly put this relationship to work.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

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