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Synonyms

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.


big business British  

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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


Etymology

Origin of big business

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In January, BBC Sport highlighted how Manchester City, as a separate entity, has turned selling players nurtured in their academy into big business.

From BBC Aug. 23, 2026

Driven by nostalgia and a desire for authentic style, old threadbare tees have turned into big business.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 19, 2026

More likely, it would persuade big business to pursue due diligence instead of profits over people and the environment.

From Salon Aug. 19, 2026

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

“All right, then. Today is the day we’ve been waiting for,” Mrs. Tracy said, starting the big business of the morning.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

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