business cycle

American  

noun

1. a recurrent fluctuation in the total business activity of a country.

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business cycle British  

noun

1. Also called: trade cycle.  the recurrent fluctuation between boom and depression in the economic activity of a capitalist country

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business cycle Cultural  

1. A period during which business activity reaches a low point, recovers, expands, reaches a high point, decreases to a new low point, and so on.

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Etymology

Origin of business cycle

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

business cycle

Economists have traditionally believed that monetary policy influences the business cycle primarily by encouraging or discouraging investment.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

For Wilson, this reinforces his conviction that the business cycle is ultimately a more important arbiter of market direction than a policy agenda.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 27, 2026

Sector rotation follows certain patterns throughout the business cycle.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 22, 2026

Founders including Huu and Vinh said the current downturn is part of a natural business cycle, and stronger firms would eventually emerge offering better products.

From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026

Such is the stage of the business cycle with which the analysis began, and, having accounted for its own beginning, the analysis ends.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur