n. 1 one's regular occupation, profession, or trade. 2 a thing that is one's concern. 3 a a task or duty. b a reason for coming (what is your business?). 4 serious work or activity (get down to business). 5 derog. a an affair, a matter (sick of the whole business). b a structure (a lath-and-plaster business). 6 a thing or series of things needing to be dealt with (the business of the day). 7 buying and selling; trade (good stroke of business). 8 a commercial house or firm. 9 Theatr. action on stage. 10 a difficult matter (what a business it is!; made a great business of it). business card a card printed with one's name and professional details. the business end colloq. the functional part of a tool or device. business park an area designed to accommodate businesses and light industry. business person a businessman or businesswoman. business studies training in economics, management, etc. has no business to has no right to. in business 1 trading or dealing. 2 able to begin operations. in the business of 1 engaged in. 2 intending to (we are not in the business of surrendering). like nobody's business colloq. extraordinarily. make it one's business to undertake to. mind one's own business not meddle. on business with a definite purpose, esp. one relating to one's regular occupation. send a person about his or her business dismiss a person; send a person away.
[ OE bisignis (as BUSY, -NESS) ]