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.
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.
U.S. Aerospace. none Enterprise the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.
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
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”
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.
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Nvidia says it is diversifying its customers by adding more clients to its AI cloud, industrial and enterprise business, which includes companies that need data centers designed specifically for their needs.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
The show includes the first appearance of the Twins, cousins of the late Jabba the Hutt who are interested in what remains of his criminal enterprise.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
They created the social enterprise Dress 2 Impress, a boutique where pupils can hire a dress for just £45 and a suit for £25.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
SpaceX estimates a TAM of $28.5 trillion, consisting of $26.5 trillion in AI across AI infrastructure, consumer subscriptions, digital advertising and enterprise applications.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
In the beginning of his reign he attacked Granada, and that enterprise was the basis of his state.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
