Enterprise Definition

ĕntər-prīz

enterprises

noun

enterprises

An undertaking; project.

Webster's New World

An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk.

American Heritage

A business organization.

American Heritage

Industrious, systematic activity, especially when directed toward profit.

Private enterprise is basic to capitalism.

American Heritage

Willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

(intransitive) To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.

Wiktionary

To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.

Wiktionary

Wiktionary

Origin of Enterprise

Middle English from Old French entreprise from past participle of entreprendre to undertake entre- between (from Latin inter- inter–) prendre to take (from Latin prehendere, prēndere ghend- in Indo-European roots)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French via Middle English and Middle French entreprise, feminine past participle of entreprendre (“to undertake”), from entre (“in between”) + prendre (“to take”), from Latin inter + prehendō, see prehensile.

From Wiktionary