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

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, which promotes free enterprise, warns that increasing the minimum wage would actually hurt workers. —Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026

Trump and others have accused it of politicized enforcement and called it a burden on free enterprise. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025

These fundamental beliefs on free enterprise, limited government, rule of law, private property, and my favorite as a father and as a president is personal responsibility. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025

Nangaa complained that the Congolese government had thwarted free enterprise. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 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