enterprise

noun

en·​ter·​prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz How to pronounce enterprise (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Additionally, integrating benchmarks and real-time data from sources such as electronic health records (EHRs) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems creates a unified view of performance and financial, operational and clinical outcomes. Premier Contributor, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Key to all of Bozeman’s goals for C.H. Robinson is the shift to a new lean operating model, focused on continuous improvement and reducing activities and inefficiencies that do not add value to the enterprise or customer. Frank Holland, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024 The priorities for the new office include using generative AI for command and control, autonomous drones, intelligence, weapons testing and even for enterprise management like financial systems and human resources. Brad Dress, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024 Since then, the enterprise has enlarged its product range to 32 items and expanded to other US areas with a prominent Polish-American population. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enterprise 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of enterprise was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near enterprise

Cite this Entry

“Enterprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterprise. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

enterprise

noun
en·​ter·​prise ˈent-ə(r)-ˌprīz How to pronounce enterprise (audio)
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 How to pronounce enterprise (audio)
: an economic organization or activity
especially : a business organization

More from Merriam-Webster on enterprise

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