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.

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big business British  

noun

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

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big business Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of big business

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

The company cut a variety of roles in software engineering, product management, design, business operations and other areas, the notices show.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

Its operators signed an agreement earlier this year with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium to collaborate on design, business development and future trade.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Bennett opened an interior design business right before the Covid-19 pandemic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Moore owns the Collingswood, New Jersey-based Everette Wilson Designs interior design business and home décor store with his husband, Jimson Wilson D’Souza.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2024

They ran a graphic design business in town.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake

Related Words

• business
• commerce
• corporation
• management
• production
• trade