Business Definition

bĭznĭs
businesses
noun
businesses
One's work, occupation, or profession.
Webster's New World
A special task, duty, or function.
Webster's New World
The amount or volume of this activity.
Business was off all day.
American Heritage
The variety of this activity in which a person is engaged.
The wholesale food business.
American Heritage
The buying and selling of commodities and services; commerce; trade.
Webster's New World
adjective
Of or for business.
Webster's New World
Designating or of premium or just-below premium accommodations, as on an aircraft.
Webster's New World
Designating a double intended to penalize one's opponents.
Webster's New World

Of, to, pertaining to or utilized for purposes of conducting trade, commerce, governance, advocacy or other professional purposes.

"Please do not use this phone for personal calls; it is a business phone."
Wiktionary

Professional, businesslike, having concern for good business practice.

Wiktionary
idiom
do business with
  • to engage in commerce with
  • to have dealings with
Webster's New World
do one's (<i>or</i> its) business
  • to defecate
Webster's New World
give (<i>or</i> get) the business
  • to subject (or be subjected) to rough treatment, practical joking, etc.
Webster's New World
like nobody's business
  • to a very high degree; with great energy, intensity, etc.
Webster's New World
mean business
  • to be in earnest
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Business

Noun

Singular:
business
Plural:
businesses

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Business

Origin of Business

  • From Middle English busines, bisynes, from Old English bisiġnes (“business, busyness”), equivalent to busy +‎ -ness. Compare also busyness.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English businesse from bisi busy busy

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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