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free enterprise
noun
: freedom of private business to organize and operate for profit in a competitive system without interference by government beyond regulation necessary to protect public interest and keep the national economy in balance
Examples of free enterprise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The misbegotten fusions of spending and regulation and of business and government confound free enterprise and capitalism.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
America favors respect for norms, free enterprise, and open scientific exploration.
—Alexander William Salter, National Review, 18 June 2024
Gulen has tried to develop a genuinely modern school of Islam that reconciles the religion with liberal democracy, scientific rationalism, ecumenism, and free enterprise…
The Church Undivided
Pope Benedict XVI made reaching out to other faiths and promoting Christian unity hallmarks of his tenure.
—Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
Far from cutting off relations, however, countries in East Asia and Europe are expanding partnerships with Israel — a world leader in agriculture, medicine, and high tech that respects free enterprise and upholds the rule of law.
—Ted Deutch, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for free enterprise
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free enterprise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1890, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near free enterprise
Cite this Entry
“Free enterprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20enterprise. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
free enterprise
noun
: freedom of private business to operate with little regulation by the government
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