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

These critiques reflect a growing view among conservatives that Trump’s alignment with speculative digital assets threatens both free enterprise and public trust. —Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

The principle is less threatening to free enterprise and the U.S. economy than using tariffs as part of a scheme of national economic planning. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

On the stock market, a similarly lousy 1.96 (with 25 respondents assigned him a 1 out of 5), and a near equally bad 2.10 for his executive orders aimed at law firms – a direct shot at the rule of law that underpins America’s free enterprise system. —Sergei Klebnikov, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Jumping in to free enterprise is like diving into a swimming pool before making sure there is water available in there. —Walter E Block, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for free enterprise

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

free enterprise

noun

: freedom of private business to operate with little regulation by the government