Main Entry:

en·ter·prise

Pronunciation:

\ˈen-tə(r)-ˌprīz\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take — more at prize

Date:

15th century

1: a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky2: 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>