businessman

American  

[biz-nis-man] / ˈbɪz nɪsˌmæn /

noun

plural

businessmen

1. a man regularly employed in business, especially a white-collar worker, executive, or owner.

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businessman British  

/ ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn, -mən /

noun

1. a person, esp a man, engaged in commercial or industrial business, esp as an owner or executive

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Usage

There is a gender-neutral form, businessperson , but it does not appear to be very widely used. The plural business people is quite widely used, and if you wish to avoid being gender-specific, you could try recasting your sentence to use the plural

Etymology

Origin of businessman

First recorded in 1705–15; business + man

Example Sentences

They argued in court that both men had abused their government positions and contacts to favour businessman Victor de Aldama, who has already admitted his role in the vast and complex affair.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

A South African businessman so unassuming you would struggle to pick him out in the directors' box – not that he sat in it much.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Hurley was reduced to tears after describing the effect of the reporting of the paternity row about her son with the American businessman Steve Bing.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

There was a rich businessman whose free-spending ad blitz made him inescapable on the airwaves.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

His father, also called Edmond, was a prosperous businessman and landlord who married his mother, Anne Robinson, in a church ceremony only seven weeks before the birth.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin