enterprise

¹

[ en-ter-prahyz ]

noun

1. a project undertaken or to be undertaken, especially one that is important or difficult or that requires boldness or energy:

   To keep the peace is a difficult enterprise.

   Synonyms: venture, undertaking, plan

2. a plan for such a project.
3. participation or engagement in such projects:

   Our country was formed by the enterprise of resolute men and women.

4. boldness or readiness in undertaking; adventurous spirit; ingenuity.

   Synonyms: aggressiveness, ambition, push, drive

5. a company organized for commercial purposes; business firm.
6. none Enterprise. Military. the first nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961, with a displacement of 89,000 tons (80,723 metric tons) and eight reactors.
7. none Enterprise. U.S. Aerospace. the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.

adjective

1. intended for use or consumption by a business firm rather than a consumer:

   enterprise security; enterprise software.

Enterprise

²

[ en-ter-prahyz ]

noun

1. a city in southern Alabama.

enterprise

/ ˈɛntəˌpraɪz /

noun

1. a project or undertaking, esp one that requires boldness or effort
2. participation in such projects
3. readiness to embark on new ventures; boldness and energy
4. 1. initiative in business
   2. ( as modifier )

      the enterprise culture

5. a business unit; a company or firm

Derived Forms

• ˈenterˌpriser, noun

Other Words From

• en·ter·prise·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enterprise¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, noun use of feminine of entrepris (past participle of entreprendre “to undertake”), from Latin inter- inter- + prehēnsus, prēnsus, past participle of prehendere, prēndere “to grasp, seize,” equivalent to pre- pre- + -hendere “to grasp”

Word History and Origins

Origin of enterprise¹

C15: from Old French entreprise (n), from entreprendre from entre- between (from Latin: inter- ) + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to grasp

Idioms and Phrases

see free enterprise .

Example Sentences

Yes, the gun:  “While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.”

From The Daily Beast

This, of course, is why the enterprise is called natural science.

From The Daily Beast

The Daily Telegraph's Lisa Armstrong called the show a "stupendously vacuous enterprise."

From The Daily Beast

But the comedic genius was wrong; success in most dimensions of the human enterprise is showing up at the right time.

From The Daily Beast

It was another of the nudge, nudge, wink, wink jokes that summed up the entire enterprise.

From The Daily Beast

A leader of soldiers has a right to know something at least of the enterprise upon which he leads them.

From Project Gutenberg

Michael Allcroft returned to his duties, tuned for labour, full of courage, and the spirit of enterprise and action.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not realize that a passion for a business enterprise, as for a woman, is capable of destroying the balance of any man.

From Project Gutenberg

But she was half a dozen years older than de Brus, who was still in his teens and was never distinguished for enterprise.

From Project Gutenberg

For the time being the interests of an enterprise of five thousand would obliterate those of fifty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• activity
• business
• company
• firm
• operation
• program
• project
• trade
• venture