Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - business

 noun  Usage: often attributive  Etymology: Middle English bisynesse, from bisy busy + -nesse -ness  Date: 14th century  1. archaic purposeful activity ; busyness  2.  a. role, function how the human mind went about its ~ of learning — H. A. Overstreet  b. an immediate task or objective ; mission what is your ~ here  c. a particular field of endeavor the best in the ~  3.  a. a usually commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood ; trade, line in the restaurant ~  b. a commercial or sometimes an industrial enterprise; also such enterprises the ~ district  c. dealings or transactions especially of an economic nature ; patronage took their ~ elsewhere  4. affair, matter the whole ~ got out of hand ~ as usual  5. creation, concoction  6. movement or action (as lighting a cigarette) by an actor intended especially to establish atmosphere, reveal character, or explain a situation — called also stage ~  7.  a. personal concern none of your ~  b. right you have no ~ speaking to me that way  8.  a. serious activity requiring time and effort and usually the avoidance of distractions got down to ~  b. maximum effort  9.  a. a damaging assault  b. rebuke, tongue-lashing  c. double cross  10. a bowel movement — used especially of pets Synonyms:  ~, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities. ~ may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale. traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.  Synonym: see in addition work.