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: ambition, push, aggressiveness, drive

5. a company organized for commercial purposes; business firm.

6. Military.,  none Enterprise 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. U.S. Aerospace.,  none Enterprise 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

Other Word Forms

• enterpriseless adjective
• enterpriser noun

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

“If these capabilities materialize, Gemini 3 could significantly close the gap or claim leadership in multimodal reasoning and enterprise automation,” Walmsley wrote.

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PLDT’s enterprise revenue share also opens opportunities in the wholesale fiber market, they add.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It started with the growth of clerical work and the corporate enterprise in the 1920s.

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He focuses on “multimanager” hedge funds—also known as “pod shops”—sprawling enterprises made up of semiautonomous trading teams that have come to dominate Wall Street.

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"Falling debris caused a fire on the premises of one enterprise," Malkov said on Telegram but there had been no casualties.

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Related Words

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