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small business

American

[smawl biz-nis] / ˈsmɔl ˈbɪz nɪs /

noun

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.

Etymology

Origin of small business

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Residents in East L.A. are weighing the promise of a new Metro E Line extension with concerns over construction disruptions, small business impacts and whether more outreach is needed about the project.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

Kristine Ruff, a small business owner who lives in the area, was getting her hair done at a local salon.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

After Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour posted on X about the promotion, social-media users responded by pointing out that a small business hedging potential losses tied to a promotion wasn’t exactly a new concept.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

It has sparked condemnation from small business groups and investors who accuse Canberra of penalising wealth creators.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Yet he saw no familiar faces, no honor guard waiting to escort him from Lordsport to Pyke, only smallfolk going about their small business.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023