business 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.
Example Sentences
Noun He was the Secretary of Commerce under the last President. a government agency in charge of regulating interstate commerce
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
At a Wednesday event hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce, 15 minutes by car from Pierce’s mayoral office, Democratic governor candidate Les Gara and independent candidate Bill Walker had the stage to themselves. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2022 That’s because labor regulations anger chambers of commerce in every city and town in America. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 Under the plea agreement, three lesser charges of enticement, use of interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity and money laundering were dismissed. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 People who rarely made online orders in the past were forced to adapt during the pandemic, adding to the already rapid growth of e-commerce. Jia Wertz, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 According to Swati Gupta, Weleda’s head of e-commerce in North America, in 2020, the company sold a Skin Food product every five seconds.New York Times, 20 Aug. 2022 The vigor of real estate salespeople and the chambers of commerce were pitched at the middle classes. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 Everyone else, including Frank’s pets, has some sort of commerce with them, often including strange and beautifully inventive magical powers. Sam Thielman, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2022 The Olmsted and Berea chambers of commerce are sponsoring a Sept. 2 golf outing at Mallard Creek Golf Course.cleveland, 8 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle French, from Latin commercium, from com- + merc-, merx merchandise