First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
enterprise
noun en·ter·prise \ˈen-tə(r)-ˌprīz\
: a project or activity that involves many people and that is often difficult
: a business organization
: the ability or desire to do dangerous or difficult things or to solve problems in new ways
Full Definition of ENTERPRISE
1
: a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky
2
: readiness to engage in daring or difficult action : initiative <showed great enterprise in dealing with the crisis>
3
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>
See enterprise defined for English-language learners
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Origin of ENTERPRISE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take — more at prize
Related to ENTERPRISE
- Antonyms
- sure thing
Other Business Terms
Rhymes with ENTERPRISE
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ENTERPRISE Defined for Kids
enterprise
noun en·ter·prise \ˈen-tər-ˌprīz\
Definition of ENTERPRISE for Kids
1
: a project or undertaking that is difficult, complicated, or risky
2
: willingness to engage in daring or difficult action <Look at the opportunities here for a man of knowledge, brains, pluck, and enterprise … — Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee>
3
: a business organization or activity
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