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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

In his new role, Anand will work across Disney to modernize its development and implementation of tech, as well as overseeing data and AI platforms, enterprise technology and infrastructure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

Tishler’s new boss, George W. Merck, was heir to a family enterprise dating to 1668, when an ancestor opened an apothecary in Darmstadt, Germany.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Even in 1981 when IPOs were smaller than today, this was an unusual move for such a modest enterprise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

"The target audience right now is early adopters of tech and developers as well as enterprise," Spiegel said.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

For the first time in months I felt positively positive about this enterprise.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

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

Shares of server makers Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise led the S&P 500’s gainers on Friday, as investors were reassured about data-center spending by Oracle’s latest earnings report.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

There would be no chance of Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise turning up at the present time.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Sometimes referred to as prize draws or pay-to-enter competitions, these enterprises work by selling a set number of entries to a draw, often for a cash prize.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Trump, a former real estate magnate who promotes family enterprises at every opportunity, told Martin that Doonbeg was "one of the greatest courses in the world".

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

Additionally, access to Meta’s models through its application-programming interface for developers and enterprises “should become increasingly compelling” given the strength of its offerings, including an upcoming model code-named Watermelon.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

Morgan was at the center of a web of banks and industrial enterprises that exerted unprecedented control over the country’s commerce.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

Self-assess on their very important efforts and know what to do during the routine enterprises, but struggle in new situations.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

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