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 of enterprise

• company
• firm
• house
• business
• interest

Examples of enterprise in a Sentence

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

Ultimately, the demand for AI from consumers and enterprise alike is increasing — and with it, demand for Qnity. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Trump and his family members have accepted a jetliner from the emir of Qatar, a $2 billion investment from a fund led by the Saudi crown prince, and profits from a number of cryptocurrency enterprises, much of which came from foreign buyers. — Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

The bulk of investment in the AI boom has gone into enterprise applications — that is, technology that people use for work. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Winning back SMBs Returning focus to a streamlined low-end virtualization product is an about-face for VMware, which has largely focused on enterprise-size customers since Broadcom’s takeover. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026

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

• enterprise zone
• free enterprise
• private enterprise

Rhymes for enterprise

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

enterprise

noun

en·​ter·​prise ˈent-ə(r)-ˌprīz 

1

: a difficult, complicated, or risky project or undertaking

2

: readiness to engage in daring or difficult action

showed great enterprise in the face of danger

3

: a business organization

enterpriser

-ˌprī-zər

noun

Legal Definition

enterprise

noun

en·​ter·​prise ˈen-tər-ˌprīz 

: an economic organization or activity

especially : a business organization