enterprise
[en-ter-prahyz]
- 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.
- (initial capital letter) 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.
- (initial capital letter, italics) U.S. Aerospace. the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.
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Origin of enterprise
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comEnterprise
[en-ter-prahyz]
- a city in S Alabama.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
firm, business, company, trade, project, program, venture, activity, operation, industry, resource, essay, affair, stake, campaign, flier, house, move, crusade, propositionExamples from the Web for enterprise
Contemporary Examples
Yes, the gun: “While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.”
This, of course, is why the enterprise is called natural science.
As Mitchell was looking to expand his enterprise in the mid-2000s, he ran into a roadblock.
At This Creepy Libertarian Charter School, Kids Must Swear ‘to Be Obedient to Those in Authority’ProPublica
October 15, 2014
But Broadcasting & Cable reported that last year, it was a $55 million enterprise.
After a fruitful year (earning $81 total) he expanded his enterprise.
Historical Examples
The real purpose of the enterprise is indicated in the last clause.
Stories from ThucydidesH. L. Havell
Montacute undertook the enterprise on the 19th of October, 1330.
Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward IICharlotte Mary Yonge
If he failed in one enterprise he would start off on another.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
Young Vail applied to his father, who was a man of enterprise and intelligence.
Heroes of the TelegraphJ. Munro
Magua had now attained one great object of all his cunning and enterprise.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
enterprise
- 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
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Word Origin
C15: from Old French entreprise (n), from entreprendre from entre- between (from Latin: inter-) + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to grasp
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for enterprise
n.
early 15c., "an undertaking," from Old French enterprise "an undertaking," noun use of fem. past participle of entreprendre "undertake, take in hand," from entre- "between" (see entre-) + prendre "to take," contraction of prehendere (see prehensile). Abstract sense of "readiness to undertake challenges, spirit of daring" is from late 15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with enterprise
enterprise
see free enterprise.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.