Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » enterprise

enterprise

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of an enterprise is a project, a willingness to take on a new project, an undertaking or business venture.

(noun)

An example of an enterprise is a new start-up business.
An example of enterprise is someone taking initiative to start a business.

See enterprise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an undertaking; project; specif.,
1. a bold, difficult, dangerous, or important undertaking
2. a business venture or company
willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative
active participation in projects

Origin: ME < OFr entreprise < fem. pp. of entreprendre, to undertake < entre- (L inter), in, between + prendre < L prehendere: see prehensile

See enterprise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk.
A business organization.
Industrious, systematic activity, especially when directed toward profit: Private enterprise is basic to capitalism.
Willingness to undertake new ventures; initiative: “Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling, and spending their lives like serfs” (Henry David Thoreau).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French entreprise

Origin: , from past participle of entreprendre, to undertake

Origin: : entre-, between (from Latin inter-; see inter-)

Origin: + prendre, to take (from Latin prehendere, prēndere; see ghend- in Indo-European roots)

Related Forms: