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: 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.

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

Other Word Forms

• enterpriseless adjective
• enterpriser noun

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

Even to representatives of the British Consulate in New York, which helped organize the event, there was irony in hosting a party for the king in a monument to American enterprise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For enterprising men, money from war, industry or trade was a passport through social frontiers—the tradesman, merchant or lucky naval captain could become a landed gentleman, as happens in Austen’s novels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Palo Alto Networks’ long-term fundamentals remain strong, and we see the company as a durable compounder driven by steady execution, accelerating platform adoption, and strengthening mind share across the enterprise.”

Read more on Barron's

When capital relies on the sale of neither skill nor labor, but mere body, that isn’t free enterprise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Google has also been expanding into the enterprise space with the launch of Gemini Enterprise in October.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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