-noun
1.
an occupation, profession, or trade: His business is poultry farming.
2.
the purchase and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit.
3.
a person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce, manufacturing, or a service; profit-seeking enterprise or concern.
EXPAND
4.
volume of trade; patronage: Most of the store's business comes from local families.
5.
a building or site where commercial work is carried on, as a factory, store, or office; place of work: His business is on the corner of Broadway and Elm Street.
6.
that with which a person is principally and seriously concerned: Words are a writer's business.
7.
something with which a person is rightfully concerned: What they are doing is none of my business.
8.
affair; project: We were exasperated by the whole business.
9.
an assignment or task; chore: It's your business to wash the dishes now.
10.
Also called piece of business, stage business. Theater . a movement or gesture, especially a minor one, used by an actor to give expressiveness, drama, detail, etc., to a scene or to help portray a character.
11.
excrement: used as a euphemism.
COLLAPSE
-adjective
12.
of, noting, or pertaining to business, its organization, or its procedures.
13.
containing, suitable for, or welcoming business or commerce: New York is a good business town.
-Idioms
14.
business is business, profit has precedence over personal considerations: He is reluctant to fire his friend, but business is business.
15.
do one's business, (usually of an animal or child) to defecate or urinate: housebreaking a puppy to do his business outdoors.
16.
get down to business, to apply oneself to serious matters; concentrate on work: They finally got down to business and signed the contract.
EXPAND
17.
give someone the business, Informal .
a.
to make difficulties for someone; treat harshly: Instead of a straight answer they give him the business with a needless run-around.
b.
to scold severely; give a tongue-lashing to: The passengers will give the bus driver the business if he keeps driving so recklessly.
18.
have no business, to have no right: You have no business coming into this house.
19.
mean business, to propose to take action or be serious in intent; be in earnest: By the fire in his eye we knew that he meant business.
20.
mind one's own business, to refrain from meddling in the affairs of others: When he inquired about the noise coming from the neighbor's apartment, he was told to mind his own business.