businessman

[ biz-nis-man ]

noun

, plural busi·ness·men.

1. a man regularly employed in business, especially a white-collar worker, executive, or owner.

businessman

/ ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn; -mən /

noun

1. a person, esp a man, engaged in commercial or industrial business, esp as an owner or executive

Usage

There is a gender-neutral form, businessperson , but it does not appear to be very widely used. The plural business people is quite widely used, and if you wish to avoid being gender-specific, you could try recasting your sentence to use the plural

Word History and Origins

Origin of businessman¹

First recorded in 1705–15; business + man

Example Sentences

The Republican, former USD football player and businessman is a long-shot in the district but maybe he sees a route because of how much is unsettled in state politics right now.

From Voice of San Diego

Americans for Prosperity, which emphasizes fiscal conservatism, has backed Perdue, running digital ads and sending informational mailers for the businessman.

From Ozy

This is especially helpful for company owners, entrepreneurs, and businessmen who want to capitalize on that trust factor with prospective customers and future clients.

From Search Engine Watch

Shannon was born in Gaylord, Michigan, in 1916, the son of a local businessman and a teacher.

From Quanta Magazine

That man was the megafamous businessman, newspaper publisher, and politician William Randolph Hearst.

From Vox

The Departed star is also a very savvy businessman, having produced hit shows like Boardwalk Empire and Entourage.

From The Daily Beast

One wealthy businessman from London made arrangements to fly Dr. Grenci to visit him across the Atlantic for a session.

From The Daily Beast

First, as conservative businessman Ron Unz has explained, a higher minimum wage would reduce welfare spending.

From The Daily Beast

The flashy businessman who sold her implants, meanwhile, lived a life of luxury.

From The Daily Beast

I assure you there isn't a single local businessman who doesn't know the name Germán Goyeneche.

From The Daily Beast

Gardiner was a shrewd businessman, and not even my head clerks ever suspected my connection with the store that bore his name.

From Project Gutenberg

It could start as innocuously as a businessman planning a more effective advertising campaign.

From Project Gutenberg

She considered his advice very seriously for he was a practical businessman and yet appreciated what she was trying to do.

From Project Gutenberg

I know a successful businessman in Saint Louis, an owner of monopolies, on the profits of which he plays at being a Socialist.

From Project Gutenberg

He entered as an American businessman, a camera importer who was also interested in doing a bit of tourist sightseeing.

From Project Gutenberg