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

See Examples For:

small business

For instance, co-ops can reduce the risks of trying to go it alone to launch a small business.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

To greater or lesser degrees Burnham has floated more "public control", cost of living support, small business rates relief, and higher infrastructure investment and higher defence spending.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Moonprint Solutions, a small business, is developing flexible protective covers that shield equipment from the Moon's highly abrasive dust.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

But officials have something much larger in mind: Under federal law, a builder with $45 million in annual revenue is considered a small business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

Running a small business was a heavy load to take on, but I loved working on Louellashop.com so much, it didn’t feel like work.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad