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.
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 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

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Enterprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterprise. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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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