Fortune 500

1. A list published annually by Fortune magazine of the 500 United States companies with the highest revenue.

   I'm betting they're more listings from the Fortune 500.

   1987, Katherine V. Forrest, Murder at the Nightwood Bar, Alyson Publishing, →ISBN, page 65

   2 more examples

   If he were a corporation instead of a criminal he'd be in the Fortune 500 by now.

   2004, Matt Ruff, Sewer, Gas and Electric: The Public Works Trilogy, Grove Press, →ISBN, page 42

   Myra Rutledge, heiress to a Fortune 500 candy company, looked around her state-of-the-art kitchen, at the pots bubbling on the stove, at the table set for two.

   2004, Fern Michaels, Payback, →ISBN, Prologue

2. Collectively, the members of that list.

   In other words, a majority of the Fortune 500 are of the size of universities, from 500 up to about 40000 employees.

   1990, Michael Novak, Toward a Theology of the Corporation, American Enterprise Institute, →ISBN, page 20

   3 more examples

   Abbott was in his late sixties and looked like a retired Fortune 500 executive in a three-piece suit, complete with manicured nails and a Rolex watch.

   1990, Sue Grafton, "G" is for Gumshoe, Henry Holt and Company, →ISBN, page 154

   Few sportswear or sports equipment companies could be found pitching their products on television; and even fewer could be found among the Fortune 500.

   1999, Steve Fiffer, Three Quarters, Two Dimes and a Nickel: A Memoir of Becoming Whole, The Free Press, →ISBN, page 170

   Bennett didn't appear on CNBC, or kibitz with Maria Bartiromo, or speak at Fortune 500 conferences, or get himself profiled in the Wall Street Journal.

   2003, Joel C. Rosenberg, The Last Jihad, Tor/Forge, →ISBN, page 23

plural Fortune 500s

1. broadlyinformalAny member of that list.

   If logic and demonstrations of success are not impetus enough, realize that activists are now looking beyond Fortune 500s.

   2000, Susan F. Shultz, The Board Book, →ISBN, page 13

   1 more example

   I shrink a little at the idea of Portia breaking another glass ceiling on her way to what can only be president or CEO of a Fortune 500.

   2005, Amy Scheibe, What Do You Do All Day?, St. Martin's Press, →ISBN, page 53