Definition of enterprise
1 : a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky
2 : readiness to engage in daring or difficult action : initiative showed great enterprise in dealing with the crisis
3a : a unit of economic organization or activity; especially : a business organizationb : a systematic purposeful activity agriculture is the main economic enterprise among these people
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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 of enterprise from the Web
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State enterprises are also a principal culprit in the alarming build-up of corporate debt in China (nearly 170% of GDP at the end of last year).
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The deal was expected to give Blaze Pizza LLC an enterprise value of more than $100 million, said one person, who was among those familiar with the negotiations who asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
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Our ideals bind our people together, serve as the passport to Americanness, and justify the whole enterprise.
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Shoppers in Enterprise and Auburn now have access to a new offering in the Walmart portfolio -- giant self-service kiosks.
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That said, federal enforcement priorities seem to remain focused on preventing revenues from the sale of drugs from going to criminal enterprises and preventing violence associated with the illegal drug trade.
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Canada’s scientific enterprise is at risk of sinking to junk bond status as a result of a funding crunch and misguided government and granting council policies, argues a report released today.
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That is why more than half of humanity lives in these centers of enterprise and innovation, with that number rising quickly.
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The nonprofit started in Seattle in 1977 and has its headquarters in South Lake Union, nestled among other booming creative enterprises.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enterprise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of enterprise
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take — more at prize
Other Business Terms
ENTERPRISE Defined for English Language Learners
enterprise
playDefinition of enterprise for English Language Learners
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: a project or activity that involves many people and that is often difficult
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: a business organization
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: the ability or desire to do dangerous or difficult things or to solve problems in new ways
ENTERPRISE Defined for Kids
enterprise
playDefinition of enterprise for Students
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
3 : a business organization or activity
Law Dictionary
enterprise
playLegal Definition of enterprise
: an economic organization or activity; especially : a business organization
Learn More about enterprise
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See words that rhyme with enterprise Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for enterprise Spanish Central: Translation of enterprise Nglish: Translation of enterprise for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of enterprise for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about enterprise
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