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.
a plan for such a project.
participation or engagement in such projects.
Our country was formed by the enterprise of resolute men and women.
boldness or readiness in undertaking; adventurous spirit; ingenuity.
a company organized for commercial purposes; business firm.
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.
U.S. Aerospace. none Enterprise the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.
a project or undertaking, esp one that requires boldness or effort
participation in such projects
readiness to embark on new ventures; boldness and energy
initiative in business
( as modifier )
the enterprise culture
a business unit; a company or firm
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”
Enterprise describes a readiness to act boldly to get something started, like the enterprise it takes to start a charity with only a dream and a few dollars. Another meaning of enterprise is "a business venture," like a frozen yogurt enterprise. It requires a lot of determination, hard work and the steady belief that people will love your yogurt. People will say you show extraordinary enterprise for your willingness to take on such a challenging project, meaning you have initiative and drive.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He and his wife, who works in enterprise sales for an AI company, have two young children.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
Meta itself also reported high disruptions on some of its advertising and application developments for enterprise customers, including Facebook Ads Manager, WhatsApp Business, and Messenger API.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
He said Phelan's actions were a "joint enterprise with others" which was a "serious aggravating factor".
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
Despite the turnout, there was something strained and desperate about the whole enterprise, like they are the few still holding onto hope that anti-feminism can make good on its promises.
From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026
This last joined the enterprise most unwillingly because he was a prophet and he knew that none of the seven would come back alive except Adrastus.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
