show business

noun

: the arts, occupations, and businesses (such as theater, movies, and television) that comprise the entertainment industry

Examples of show business in a Sentence

She has been in show business for over 30 years.

actors trying to break into show business

Recent Examples on the Web

To cope with the breakneck pace of show business, Douglas sought refuge in women, cocaine and work. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

For the Ohio native, life in show business is too hectic to spend time on projects that don’t offer fertile creative ground. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Misty is at a moment of peak personal and professional crisis, and her story allows Rock to examine serious questions about social inequality, getting older in show business and compromise. — New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Emphasis on early literacy Parton, most remembered as a popular country singer, embraced many musical genres during her long and successful career in show business. — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for show business

• agribusiness
• nonbusiness

Kids Definition

show business

noun

: the arts, occupations, and companies that make up the entertainment industry