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.
But the thrill of the action sequences just underscores the hollowness of the rest of the enterprise. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024 If international diplomacy related to Ukraine has been both aspirational and ephemeral, assistance to the Russian defense enterprise has been all too tangible. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 Meech was known for running a national drug enterprise throughout the 1980s, moving an average of 2,500 kilograms of cocaine monthly. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Numerous venture capital firms were established and managed by technology entrepreneurs who made millions of dollars from their successful tech enterprises that ultimately went public. Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 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 22 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!