big business

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.

big business

noun

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

big business

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of big business¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

Ms. Legacki would be wise to remind big business that everyone has a role to play in upholding democratic principles, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office.

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IBM, the tech giant best known for selling IT software and mainframe computers, has long had the ear of big businesses.

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“It’s big government colluding with big banks and big business to spy on everything Americans buy, every place they go, everything they do,” Jordan said.

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So far this year there has been a wave of cyber attacks targeting big businesses, including retailers such as Marks & Spencer and the Co-op, as well as a key airport systems provider.

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Other Chinese chip developers have also secured major contracts with big businesses in the country.

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Related Words

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