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

Earlier this year, enough of his developers had individual accounts that he decided to get an enterprise account for the company.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Paterson persuaded the Scottish parliament to establish a new enterprise based on England’s East India Company to found a Scottish colony on the narrow isthmus joining North and South America.

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“Our industry checks continue to show that enterprise adoption of AI is very early,” he wrote.

Read more on MarketWatch

There is a pejorative word—reactionary—to describe such an enterprise.

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Their prices aren’t based on even a theoretical value of issuing enterprises such as corporations, municipalities or federal agencies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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