Generally business is segregated into three groups, commercial (for example retail or wholesale firms), industrial (refinery or manufacturing plant) and professional (legal or marketing firm).

Most businesses may be for-profit, such as publicly-traded firms, partnerships and sole-proprietorships. Businesses may also be not-for-profit, businesses whose purpose is not an explicit profit motive, but the performance of some social good, which garners tax advantages.

The term Business may also refer to any economic endeavor.