enterprise
noun
en·ter·prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz 
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
Synonyms
- business
- company
- concern
- establishment
- firm
- house
- interest
- outfit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Connie is vice president of the JJ Watt Foundation and has taken a central role in operating the charitable enterprise, which was instrumental in funneling resources to Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. 
Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Prior to this role, Maguire served as the head of enterprise partnerships and investments. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Then, the fickle weather gods must smile on the enterprise. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 7 Sep. 2022 On the contrary, Lorna Gibson of Gibson’s Bakery writes that incoming freshmen are still told to avoid her shop (right on its main street in a very small town) as a racist enterprise. WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Obama Foundation officials defended the salaries as the natural outgrowth of a blossoming enterprise that aims to attract top talent to ensure Chicago’s next biggest cultural institution is a success. Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 The underlying mission for every company, which wants to add value, is to define a purpose for the company that is believable to its employees and thus encourages them to come and add value to the enterprise. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Then the Ravens’ secondary struggled, and the pass rush never arrived, and injuries doomed the whole enterprise — and perhaps Martindale’s job security, too. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2022 What is the nature of the Victory Project, the top-secret government enterprise that employs Jack and the other husbands on their block? Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 See More
Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Prior to this role, Maguire served as the head of enterprise partnerships and investments. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Then, the fickle weather gods must smile on the enterprise. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 7 Sep. 2022 On the contrary, Lorna Gibson of Gibson’s Bakery writes that incoming freshmen are still told to avoid her shop (right on its main street in a very small town) as a racist enterprise. WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Obama Foundation officials defended the salaries as the natural outgrowth of a blossoming enterprise that aims to attract top talent to ensure Chicago’s next biggest cultural institution is a success. Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 The underlying mission for every company, which wants to add value, is to define a purpose for the company that is believable to its employees and thus encourages them to come and add value to the enterprise. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Then the Ravens’ secondary struggled, and the pass rush never arrived, and injuries doomed the whole enterprise — and perhaps Martindale’s job security, too. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2022 What is the nature of the Victory Project, the top-secret government enterprise that employs Jack and the other husbands on their block? Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing enterprise
Kids Definition
enterprise
noun
en·ter·prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz
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 in King Arthur's Court
Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court3
: a business organization or activity
Legal Definition
enterprise
noun
en·ter·prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz
: an economic organization or activity
especially : a business organization
enterprise
noun
1
as in company
a commercial or industrial activity or organization the booming economy witnessed the launch of many small enterprises Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- company
- firm
- business
- house
- corporation
- interest
- establishment
- association
- concern
- agency
- outfit
- conglomerate
- multinational
- syndicate
- dealer
- chain
- outlet
- trust
- cartel
- combine
- microenterprise
2
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity the enterprise shown by the early developers and promoters of personal computers Synonyms & Similar Words
- ambition
- initiative
- action
- drive
- spirit
- vigor
- hustle
- aggressiveness
- go
- energy
- spunk
- gumption
- ambitiousness
- killer instinct
- starch
- grit
- vitality
- assertiveness
- pluck
- self-reliance
- overambitiousness
- hardihood
- pep
- snap
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inertia
- timidity
- reluctance
- inactivity
- passivity
- diffidence
- hesitation
- faintheartedness
- indolence
- laziness
- lethargy
3
as in venture
a risky undertaking the general viewed the proposed invasion as a military enterprise that offered no easy way out Synonyms & Similar Words
- venture
- gamble
- speculation
- adventure
- chance
- throw
- flyer
- bet
- crapshoot
- liberty
- hazard
- stake
- flier
- flutter
- wager
- long shot
- play
- dark horse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sure thing