enterprise

noun

en·​ter·​prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz 

ˈen-tə-ˌprīz

1

: a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky

2

a

: a unit of economic organization or activity

especially : a business organization

b

: a systematic purposeful activity

agriculture is the main economic enterprise among these people

3

: readiness to engage in daring or difficult action : initiative

showed great enterprise in dealing with the crisis

Synonyms

• business
• company
• concern
• establishment
• firm
• house
• interest
• outfit

Examples of enterprise in a Sentence

Moving the drilling rig offshore was a costly enterprise.

Agriculture is the main economic enterprise among these people.

When he purchased the company it was a thriving commercial enterprise.

He was criticized for his lack of enterprise in dealing with the crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

When implementing an enterprise browser, organizations often face unforeseen challenges that can hinder progress and adoption. —Ashish Khanna, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

However, the enterprise software giant’s AI business is picking up steam, which should propel the stock higher over time. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Administers the enterprise department’s programs for development, implementation and promotion of short and long range strategic plans, capital improvements programming and implementation, economic impact analysis, grants writing and administration, and federal and state legislative efforts. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

Developing a facility akin to the coking coal plant in Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine -- which is the largest enterprise in Ukraine -- would require around $10 billion. —David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take — more at prize

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing enterprise

• enterprise zone
• free enterprise
• private enterprise

Rhymes for enterprise

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

enterprise

noun

en·​ter·​prise ˈent-ə(r)-ˌprīz 

1

: a difficult, complicated, or risky project or undertaking

2

: readiness to engage in daring or difficult action

showed great enterprise in the face of danger

3

: a business organization

enterpriser

-ˌprī-zər

noun

Legal Definition

enterprise

noun

en·​ter·​prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz 

: an economic organization or activity

especially : a business organization