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• enterprise
  enterprise

  noun

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

  noun

  a city in southern Alabama.

enterprise

¹ American  

[en-ter-prahyz] / ˈɛn tərˌpraɪz /

noun

• enterprises
  plural

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.

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adjective

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

   enterprise security; enterprise software.

Enterprise ² American  

[en-ter-prahyz] / ˈɛn tərˌpraɪz /

noun

1. a city in southern Alabama.

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enterprise British  

/ 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

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enterprise Idioms  

1. see free enterprise.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• enterpriser
  noun
• enterpriseless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• enterprises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of enterprise

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”

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

enterprise Enterprise enterprises

Some donors supporting the enterprise exhibit were upset that it devoted so much space to the role of slavery in American business.

From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026

“It’s never felt like work. I just love helping realize the potential of these social enterprise organizations.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

“As AI moves from concept to real-world usage across both enterprise and consumer environments, investors appear increasingly willing to reward companies viewed as leaders in deploying and operationalizing AI at scale,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Until now, AI agents have been the stuff of enterprise tech—heralded as the new interface for business software and even touted as working alongside human employees.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

“Thus Architecture died in the land of the free and the home of the brave—in a land declaring its fervid democracy, its inventiveness, its resourcefulness, its unique daring, enterprise and progress.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

While Dans is a minor player in the federal government, “when he speaks, international audiences and officials see him as representing U.S. policy,” said Heather Conley, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2026

Axon Enterprise stock falls after the Taser maker unveils its plans to raise $1 billion in debt.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

He was his co-defendant in his 2017 conviction and is also now the CEO of Breakthrough Social Enterprise.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Mr. Teixeira is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and co-author, with John B. Judis, of “Where Have All the Democrats Gone?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

“Furthermore,” he says, “any crew member of Star Trek's starship Enterprise who wears a red shirt never appears in another episode. Frankly, I think you’ve made poor choices.”

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

The list of failed enterprises bearing his family moniker is as long as it is embarrassing.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

But there have been plenty of challenges for enterprises in rolling out and managing AI agents—among them cost, cybersecurity risks and the potential for too many agents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

The team also sees more spending on AI infrastructure as enterprises consolidate vendors and cut IT budgets.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

The Finnish military also runs a series of courses annually for leaders of society - MPs, government ministers, the CEOs of private enterprises and public utilities, the health service, even NGOs and the churches.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Congress effectively outlawed their communal property, passing vast acreages into the public domain, tracts which then suddenly wound up in the hands of large American ranching enterprises like the Devine Company.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Related Words

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