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

The long-running nature of the enterprise—operating continuously for more than 30 years with minimal interruption despite the creator’s serious health challenges—demonstrates sustained commitment to documenting California policy and politics through significant upheaval. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

Additionally, management expects SanDisk to win market share in the higher-margin eSSD (enterprise solid-state drives) market, with BiCS8 eSSDs expected to boost revenue in the second half of 2026 and beyond. —Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026

Kurtis Alexander is an enterprise reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle, with a focus on natural resources and the environment. —Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026

These artifacts affirmed that writing was both a life-spanning enterprise and a way of life. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 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
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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