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 Word Forms

• 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

The two most zealous space buffs on Earth loom large in Washington, with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in a moon race with their respective rocket enterprises, Blue Origin and Space X.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, on the one-year anniversary of his enterprise, Hasan talks about what it took to create an outlet somewhere between mainstream news and “burn it all down” media.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors allege he "abused, threatened, and coerced women", and that he created "a criminal enterprise" involving forced labour, kidnapping, arson and bribery.

From BBC

Instead, the young Mario embraced it further, producing novelitas — little novels — to entertain his fellow cadets, and running a small enterprise that consisted of writing love letters in exchange for cigarettes.

From Los Angeles Times

What I will offer are some foundational ideas that may be vital for that enterprise, and may encourage others to pursue it further.

From Salon

Related Words

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