small business

American  

[smawl biz-nis] / ˈsmɔl ˈbɪz nɪs /

noun

1. a profit-seeking enterprise or concern that is independently owned and operated, has a limited number of employees, and is not nationally dominant in its field.

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Etymology

Origin of small business

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

"Community banks make 60 percent of all the small business loans in this country," Independent Community Bankers of America CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey told AFP.

From Barron's

If you are a small business owner, the situation is equally grim.

From Los Angeles Times

Gambit received $3.3 million from the program early on and was hoping to get another $5 million of the Small Business Administration money, which is allocated by the military.

From Los Angeles Times

Other "transitional" reliefs are also being brought in to ease the move to the new system, including an extension of the "small business bonus" scheme which lifts smaller properties out of paying anything.

From BBC

Temi started a small business in Dunfermline, Fife, selling African groceries.

From BBC