noncommercial

Other forms: noncommercially

The adjective noncommercial describes something — such as an organization or an endeavor — that is not intended for making a profit. In other words, it is not a business.

Noncommercial enterprises include things like public libraries, public schools, community theaters, and charitable organizations. They are not designed for generating revenue but for providing a public service or benefit. Many major museums, such as the Smithsonian, are noncommercial institutions. Their primary mission is to collect, preserve, and educate, rather than to make money for owners or shareholders. The money they charge for tickets is typically reinvested back into the museum's operations.

Definitions of noncommercial

1. adjective

   not motivated by profit or intended for business purposes
   synonyms:

   blue-sky

   without immediate commercial value

   non-profit-making, nonprofit

   not commercially motivated

   uncommercial

   not conducive to commercial success

   uncommercialised, uncommercialized

   not having been commercialized

   antonyms:

   commercial

   connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

   commercialised, commercialized

   organized principally for financial gain

   mercantile

   relating to or characteristic of trade or traders

   mercantile, mercenary, moneymaking

   profit oriented

   technical

   resulting from or dependent on market factors rather than fundamental economic considerations