A man who owns or manages a company or engages in buying and selling goods or services to make money.
From 'business' (from Old English 'bisignis' meaning busy-ness or state of being busy) plus 'man'. Became common in the 1800s during industrial expansion.
The term 'businessman' (traditionally male) has given way to the gender-neutral 'businessperson'—this linguistic shift actually arrived late compared to other professions because business culture was historically so male-dominated that the gendered term felt universal.
This gendered term defaults to male and erases women's business ownership. Emerged as 'businessman' became the standard professional term in 20th-century business culture.
Use 'businessperson' or 'business owner' for universal reference. Use 'businessman/businesswoman' only when gender is relevant to context.
["businessperson","business owner","entrepreneur"]
Women entrepreneurs have driven economic innovation; the term 'businessman' historically denied them professional credibility and access to capital.
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