enterprise

noun en·ter·prise \ ˈen-tər-ˌprīz , ˈen-tə-ˌprīz \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: enterprise in a Sentence

Definition of enterprise

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

See enterprise defined for English-language learners

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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

The restaurant visit could be further evidence of a possible shift in state policies for greater emphasis on smaller enterprises and grass roots economic growth, Yonhap reported.

— brian murphy, Washington Post, "As world awaits Singapore summit, North Korean media shows Kim Jong Un touring a fish restaurant," 9 June 2018
To be sure, the construction of the imperial presidency has been a bipartisan enterprise, and Barack Obama contributed his own innovations.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "A Progressive President Could Accomplish a Lot By Following Trump’s Example," 3 June 2018
Five McClatchy news organizations in California worked with Tim Swanson, regional editor for enterprise and investigation, on this project.

— dale kasler, phillip reese and ryan sabalow, sacbee, "360,000 Californians have unsafe drinking water. Are you one of them?," 1 June 2018
The indictment follows a legal strategy prosecutors have used for years in their efforts to dismantle gangs, accusing members and associates of belonging to a criminal enterprise and violating racketeering laws.

— maya lau, latimes.com, "Authorities arrest dozens in probe of Mexican Mafia control in L.A. County jails," 23 May 2018
Our experts know how to capture, store, move and manage water for millions of residents, agricultural enterprises and industries.

— sandra watson, president & ceo, azcentral, "Next-Gen tech trends: The future of Arizona," 14 May 2018
But a parallel, often highbrow, strand of literary and cinematic expression is deeply skeptical of the scientific enterprise and its impacts (Frankenstein, Dr. Strangelove, Neuromancer).

— sean w. fleming, WIRED, "Lessons from Montecito: Science's Credibility Is At Stake," 14 May 2018
For now, however, Xi can focus more on deleveraging the economy, reforming state enterprises and ensuring the Communist Party delivers on promises.

— Bloomberg.com, "China's Goal in Trump-Kim Talks: Ensure They Don't Collapse," 11 Mar. 2018
Modern in Poland, Momentum in Hungary and NEOS in Austria—match the populists’ enterprise and presentational swagger while fighting their world view.

— The Economist, "Dancing with dangerEurope’s populists are waltzing into the mainstream," 3 Feb. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

enterprise Synonyms

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

ENTERPRISE Defined for English Language Learners

enterprise

noun

Definition of enterprise for English Language Learners

: a project or activity that involves many people and that is often difficult
: a business organization
: the ability or desire to do dangerous or difficult things or to solve problems in new ways