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

A state audit in 2021 found that at least $10 billion had been paid out on suspicious unemployment claims — never mind small business loans or other types of aid.

From Los Angeles Times

The experiment led to a small business.

From BBC

"I don't want the euro, and I don't like the way it has been imposed on us," Todor, 50, a small business owner in the central town of Gabrovo, at the foot of the Balkan mountains, told the BBC.

From BBC

"This government is supporting entrepreneurs to thrive – they are a key theme of our small business strategy to drive economic growth across the country – and with an 87% employment rate, graduates remain more likely to be in work than those without a degree."

From BBC

“These films are designed to be highly appealing to broad audiences,” said Kit Hughes, associate professor of film and media studies at Colorado State University, who watched every single Hallmark film released in 2022 for research on the portrayal of small business owners.

From Los Angeles Times