Business magnate

A business magnate (formally industrialist) refers to an entrepreneur of great influence, importance, or standing in a particular enterprise or field of business. The term characteristically refers to a wealthy entrepreneur or investor who controls through personal business ownership or dominant shareholding position a firm or industry whose goods, products, or services are widely consumed. Such individuals may also be called czars, moguls, proprietors, tycoons, taipans, barons, or oligarchs.

Etymology

The word magnate derives from the Latin magnates (plural of magnas), meaning "a great man" or "great nobleman".

The word tycoon derives from the Japanese word taikun (大君), which means "great lord", used as a title for the shogun. The word entered the English language in 1857 with the return of Commodore Perry to the United States. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was humorously referred to as the Tycoon by his aides John Nicolay and John Hay. The term spread to the business community, where it has been used ever since.