big business
Americannoun
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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.
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any large organization of a noncommercial nature resembling this.
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any large business enterprise.
noun
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.
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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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.