enterprise

¹ American  

[en-ter-prahyz] / ˈɛn tərˌpraɪz /

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.

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adjective

1. intended for use or consumption by a business firm rather than a consumer.

   enterprise security; enterprise software.

Enterprise ² American  

[en-ter-prahyz] / ˈɛn tərˌpraɪz /

noun

1. a city in southern Alabama.

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enterprise British  

/ 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

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enterprise Idioms  

1. see free enterprise.

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Other Word Forms

• enterpriseless adjective
• enterpriser noun

Etymology

Origin of enterprise

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”

Example Sentences

Our enterprising Gravedigger, a true woman of science, engineers a lizard elixir and regenerates the finger into a long tentacle that eventually demands a body.

From Los Angeles Times

“Rather than making cybersecurity obsolete, this wave of AI threats will force enterprises to aggressively expand their defenses, creating unavoidable tailwinds for security adoption.”

From Barron's

"The council have sites, there's lots of enterprises and people who invest in sites, provide facilities," he added.

From BBC

But if you take what these tools can do in the consumer market without bounds, and then apply that to what can be done at the enterprise, the opportunity is massive.

From Barron's

These practices may seriously harm the trade interests of Chinese enterprises, and some of these measures may violating World Trade Organization rules and other economic and trade treaties, the ministry said in both statements.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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