for-profit

adjective

for-prof·​it ˈfȯr-ˈprä-fət How to pronounce for-profit (audio)
: established, maintained, or conducted for the purpose of making a profit
for-profit businesses

Examples of for-profit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Newsom is working behind closed doors on legislation to further protect Edison and the state’s two other big for-profit electric utilities from the cost of wildfires caused by their equipment, the Times reported this year. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Many of his supporters harbor deep frustration and anger at the American for-profit healthcare system. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 That rule was largely started to reimburse students that went to for-profit colleges, it's now being applied to nonprofit colleges. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 The company restructured itself into a primarily for-profit business last year, largely betraying its non-profit roots. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for for-profit

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of for-profit was in 1939

Rhymes for for-profit

See All Rhymes for for-profit

Browse Nearby Words

for print
for-profit
for (quite) some time
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“For-profit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for-profit. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

for-profit

adjective
for-prof·​it
ˈfȯr-ˈpräf-ət
: existing or carried on for the purpose of making a profit
for-profit business
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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