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

“Cruises are big business / I don’t personally like them, but I need to serve a useful purpose,” she speaks in a quietly forceful tone, adding “It’s a powerful boat for a powerful mind.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Rothman saw the commercial potential in arena concerts long before it became the big business that it is today.

From The Wall Street Journal

Frank Capra, the multiple Academy Award winner whose everyman heroes symbolized the American spirit triumphing over mercenary or venal big business and big government, died Tuesday at his desert retirement home.

From Los Angeles Times

Christmas markets are not just tradition across Europe, they are big businesses that give cities a huge economic boost every December.

From BBC

ServiceNow provides automation tools to big businesses and has been integrating AI into its own offerings.

From Barron's

Related Words

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