management

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The act, manner, or practice of managing; handling, supervision, or control: management of a crisis; management of factory workers.
2. n. The person or persons who control or direct a business or other enterprise.
3. n. Skill in managing; executive ability.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The act of managing physically; handling; manipulation; physical or manual control or guidance: as, the management of a horse in riding; the management of a gun.
2. n. The act of managing by direction or regulation; intellectual control; conduct; administration; as, the management of a family, or of a theater; a board of management.
3. n. Manner of managing; use of artifice, contrivance, skill, or prudence in doing anything.
4. n. Negotiation; transaction; dealing.
5. n. Collectively, the body of directors or managers of any undertaking, concern, or interets; a board of directors of managers. Synonyms 1. and 2. Government, direction, guidance, disposal, care, charge, control, superintendence.

Wiktionary

1. n. uncountable, management administration; the process or practice of managing.
2. n. management The executives of an organisation, especially senior executives.
3. n. uncountable Judicious use of means to accomplish an end.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The act or art of managing; the manner of treating, directing, carrying on, or using, for a purpose; conduct; administration; guidance; control.
2. n. Business dealing; negotiation; arrangement.
3. n. Judicious use of means to accomplish an end; conduct directed by art or address; skillful treatment; cunning practice; -- often in a bad sense.
4. n. The collective body of those who manage or direct any enterprise or interest; the board of managers.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. the act of managing something
2. n. those in charge of running a business