venture

verb ven·ture \ ˈven(t)-shər \

Definition of venture

ventured; venturing play \ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ\

intransitive verb

:to proceed especially in the face of danger

transitive verb

1 :to expose to hazard :risk, gamble

ventured a buck or two on the race

2 :to undertake the risks and dangers of :brave

ventured the stormy sea

3 :to offer at the risk of rebuff, rejection, or censure

venture an opinion

—

venturer

play \ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)rər\ noun

See venture defined for English-language learners

See venture defined for kids

Examples of venture in a Sentence

We ventured out into the woods.
He nervously ventured out onto the ice.
The pups never ventured far from home.
The company is venturing into the computer software industry.
a writer venturing on a new project
The group's lead singer is now venturing on a solo career.
It's important to plan carefully before venturing on a long journey.

Recent Examples of venture from the Web

Paul Nester, also from the extension service, tells Katherine Shilcout at Houstonia magazine that anyone venturing into the flood waters should wear rubber boots, cuffed gloves and protective rain gear so ants can’t get on their skin.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Another Danger of the Harvey Flood: Floating Fire Ants," 29 Aug. 2017
For now, Riebel and Evans are staying inside, watching the weather from their windows and venturing outside whenever there’s a break in the downpours.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "Philly area natives ride out Hurricane Harvey in Houston," 28 Aug. 2017
As in, knowing how to check your privilege without resulting to performative wokeness or venturing into Matt McGorry territory.

— john hendrickson, Esquire, "The 'Rules' of Being a Man Are Bullshit," 22 Aug. 2017
The weather service is now among those venturing a guess at sky conditions for next Monday, Aug. 21.

— leigh morgan, AL.com, "Solar eclipse 2017: What's the weather going to be like?," 15 Aug. 2017
Residents who had stayed indoors, fearing stray bullets, ventured out to talk with the chatty women wearing pink.

— lisa fields, Good Housekeeping, "Meet 2017 Awesome Women Awards Honoree, Tamar Manasseh," 14 Aug. 2017
A three-day getaway seems short, but a long weekend is enough time for a first-timer seeking to establish a feel for the place few have heard of or ventured to.

— anthony berklich, Harper's BAZAAR, "All The Reasons Why You Should Visit Dominica," 31 July 2017
Trump, who has only ventured west of the Mississippi River once as president, has barely mentioned health care on his few stops outside of Washington and his golf properties in Florida and New Jersey.

— abby phillip, Washington Post, "Trump says he wants victories — but he isn’t selling the GOP agenda to voters," 14 July 2017
Fresh off their two walk-off wins and a day off, the Aberdeen IronBirds ventured to New York on Tuesday to battle the Auburn Doubledays.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "IronBirds commit 4 errors, drop first game at Auburn, 12-5," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'venture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of venture

Middle English venteren, aphetic form of aventuren, auntren "to occur by chance, expose to risk, take a chance" — more at ²adventure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

venture Synonyms

Synonyms

adventure, compromise, gamble (with), hazard, imperil, jeopard, jeopardize, menace, peril, risk, endanger

Related Words

intimidate, threaten; expose; subject; chance, wager

Near Antonyms

guard, protect, shelter, shield; preserve, resume, save

venture

noun

Definition of venture

1 a :an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger; especially :a speculative business enterprise

b :a venturesome act

2 :something (such as money or property) at stake in a speculative venture

3 obsolete :destiny, fortune, chance

— at a venture

:at random

a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king
—1 Kings 22:34 (King James Version)

See venture defined for English-language learners

Examples of venture in a Sentence

a venture into the unknown
their latest business venture failed big-time

Recent Examples of venture from the Web

The judge on Wednesday granted former CEO Travis Kalanick’s request to put the lawsuit on hold while an arbitrator considers claims raised by venture capital firm Benchmark Capital Partners against the ride-hailing company.

— randall chase, The Seattle Times, "Investor suit against former Uber CEO moved to arbitration," 30 Aug. 2017
The judge on Wednesday granted former CEO Travis Kalanick’s request to put the lawsuit on hold while an arbitrator considers claims raised by venture capital firm Benchmark Capital Partners against the ride-hailing company.

— Washington Post, "Investor suit against former Uber CEO moved to arbitration," 30 Aug. 2017
Last year, HuffPost reported that Trump’s career revealed a pattern of racial discrimination in business ventures across the country.

— politifact, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump Lies About Race and Communities of Color," 23 Aug. 2017
Prickly genius coder Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis) and her business partner Donna Clark (Kerry Bishé) looked to turn their indie games company Mutiny into a name brand with venture-capital funding.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "It's Not Too Late for Halt and Catch Fire," 22 Aug. 2017
On the same episode, Jorah briefly brings up Jon, kids, and the future while playing a little game of Pass the Longclaw as their group ventures beyond the wall in search of the Army of the Dead.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "What You Might Have Missed About Daenerys and Her Line of Succession on Game of Thrones," 21 Aug. 2017
Experts say the Toyota-Mazda venture is likely to make its decision in part based on labor force and government incentives.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "Victim's body found in a burning car, suspect issued a $200,000 bond for a 2016 murder," 14 Aug. 2017
Another joint venture with The Altman Companies is under construction in Texas, and three more are scheduled to break ground in the next 12 months.

— by andrea januta, miamiherald, "How chocolate and pizza helped a bank’s once-parent company rebound after the 2008 crash," 13 Aug. 2017
Of course, that was not the only joint venture automotive factory.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "Toyota Mazda," 11 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of venture

Middle English, aphetic form of aventure — more at ¹adventure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

venture Synonyms

Synonyms

adventure, chance, crapshoot, enterprise, flier (also flyer), flutter [chiefly British], speculation, throw, gamble

Antonyms

sure thing

Related Words

bet, hazard, stake, wager; liberty; dark horse, long shot, play

Other Business Terms

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

VENTURE Defined for English Language Learners

venture

verb

Definition of venture for English Language Learners

: to go somewhere that is unknown, dangerous, etc.
: to start to do something new or different that usually involves risk
: to do, say, or offer something (such as a guess or an opinion) even though you are not sure about it

venture

noun

Definition of venture for English Language Learners

: a new activity, project, business, etc., that typically involves risk

VENTURE Defined for Kids

venture

verb ven·ture \ ˈven-chər \

Definition of venture for Students

ventured; venturing

1 :to offer at the risk of being criticized

She wouldn't venture an opinion.

2 :to go ahead in spite of danger

When I heard the noise again, I ventured into the cave.

3 :to face the risks and dangers of

“I must get to the door!” he kept on saying … but it was a long time before he ventured to try.
—J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

4 :to expose to risk

She ventured her fortune on the deal.

venture

noun

Definition of venture for Students

1 :a task or an act involving chance, risk, or danger

a space venture

2 :a risky business deal

Law Dictionary

venture

noun ven·ture \ ˈven-chər \

legal Definition of venture

:an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger; especially :a speculative business enterprise — see also joint venture

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venture

Definition of venture

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Origin and Etymology of venture

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VENTURE Defined for English Language Learners

venture

Definition of venture for English Language Learners

venture

Definition of venture for English Language Learners

VENTURE Defined for Kids

venture

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venture

Definition of venture for Students

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venture

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