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.
A desire from governments of different parties from the 1990s onwards to develop a market of providers – NHS, private and voluntary sector – has meant the charity sector is now big business in health.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Death is big business in Ivory Coast, where families are expected to say goodbye to their loved ones with massive, music-fuelled feasts tinged with moments of both joy and sadness.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
It’s no secret there’s big business in scaring people: Horror movies are a box office staple, often costing the least to produce and resulting in the biggest profits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
The nutrition supplement market is a big business, with hundreds of brightly coloured recovery drinks and capsules promising reduced soreness and faster recovery.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
“I don’t know. Maybe some people. But I don’t have the right family name with a big business to inherit. My mother wanted to retire here.”
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
