What does businesswomen mean?
Businesswomen is the plural form of businesswoman and refers to women engaged in business or commerce — whether as executives, managers, entrepreneurs, owners, or professionals. The term is used widely in journalism, corporate communications, and everyday speech, often appearing in phrases such as 'successful businesswomen' or in the context of organizations and events dedicated to women in business. Its connotations are generally positive, suggesting competence, ambition, and professional achievement, and it carries no informal or pejorative charge. Because English has historically used masculine-default occupational terms, feminine forms like businesswoman/businesswomen arose to name women's participation explicitly; where gender is not relevant, some style guides prefer the inclusive 'businesspeople'. The word remains a standard, well-established part of modern vocabulary on both sides of the Atlantic.
nounBusinesswomen is the plural of businesswoman, denoting women who work in business or commerce, especially those in professional, managerial, or executive roles.
- Women who own, manage, or hold professional positions in commercial enterprises.
"The conference brought together leading businesswomen from across the Asia-Pacific region."
"She joined an association of businesswomen who mentor young entrepreneurs."
"The panel featured several prominent businesswomen discussing leadership in tech."
This headword is itself a plural (of businesswoman); the singular is businesswoman.
"Several accomplished businesswomen spoke at the summit."
The word 'business' itself grew out of 'busyness' — so a businesswoman was originally, quite literally, a busy woman.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of businesswomen
'Businesswomen' combines 'business', which developed from the Old English 'bisig' (busy) via Middle English 'busines' meaning the state of being busy or one's occupation, with the plural of 'woman', from Old English 'wīfmann'. The compound businesswoman emerged alongside businessman as women entered commercial life in growing numbers during the 19th century, and its plural businesswomen followed naturally. Cognate forms include businessman and the later gender-neutral coinage businessperson.
Related word forms
How businesswomen is actually used
The term is neutral to positive and commonly used in professional, media, and networking contexts. Some writers prefer the gender-neutral 'businessperson' or 'businesspeople' when sex is irrelevant, but 'businesswomen' remains standard and widely accepted when referring specifically to women.
Easily confused with businesswomen
Businesswomen refers specifically to women in business, while businessmen refers to men; the gender-neutral term is businesspeople.