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

He is now more likely to be seen dining with European diplomats who see him as an important power player, said a U.S. businessman who runs in the same circles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

As part of the transaction, Raiffeisen intends to sell Addiko’s subsidiaries in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro to Alta Pay—a shareholder linked to Serbian businessman Davor Macura.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"I wasn't sure that it was going to be open. But when I came over, it was a miracle" said the US-Egyptian businessman, who makes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem from Miami every year.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

The businessman however was never a permanent resident of the then Swiss Cottage, living there 10 years before selling it as a business, Richardson continued.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

She ran toward the businessman but dissipated into sparkles before she reached him, and the older spirit didn’t seem to realize she had even been there.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland