ven·ture
ˈven(t)-shər 
ventured; venturing
ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ
: to proceed especially in the face of danger
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
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
Phrases
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)
1 Kings 22:34 (King James Version)
Synonyms
Examples of venture in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
a venture into the unknown
their latest business venture failed big-time
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Recent Examples on the WebStaff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2023
Rather than venturing into the unknown, start with our edit of hero pieces, below.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
During their time filming, Polaha and the other cast and crew members did venture out and explore their surroundings.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
Earlier this year, Satisfaction ventured into English-language markets with a stake in Yes Yes Media, the company founded by Richard Bacon alongside Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sister Media.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
More customers ventured into that no-man’s-land dining window since Shake Shack began offering 2-for-1 fries, lemonades and shakes, generating incremental sales as a result, Fogertey said.
—Katie Deighton, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
In 2023, the average homebuyer ventured a mere 20 miles from their old stomping grounds, barely a stone’s throw further than the 15-mile average over the prior 33 years.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
During Covid, when businesses closed, Rambler traveled the Southwest generating brand awareness, venturing through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.
—Meimei Fox, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
While on the red carpet, the leading lady, 22, who stars as District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, recalled her very first time venturing to the Capitol of Panem just over 10 years ago.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023
This is reflected in the lack of wealth accumulating in younger generations, who should be risking their resources for ventures of their own — the great enterprises of tomorrow.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 Nov. 2023
Photo: Mary Rafferty The Pritzker Organization, the family office for Thomas Pritzker who is the executive chairman of
Hyatt Hotels
, has started a venture division to invest in early-stage companies with a $190 million fund.
—Marc Vartabedian, WSJ, 22 Nov. 2023
Fortune has set out to accomplish its own herculean goal: mapping out Musk’s myriad ventures.
—Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2023
Vinod Khosla The veteran venture capitalist and founder of Khosla Ventures is an early investor in OpenAI.
—Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
The venture is Snoop Dogg’s latest foray into gaming.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
At the same time, reports emerged that Altman and Brockman were pitching a new AI venture of their own to investors.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE about her brand Goop's latest venture into beauty, good.clean.goop, the actress, 51, highlights which products from the collection her beau loves to steal from her.
—Mia McNiece, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2023
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Verb
Samuel Alvez, 44, and his wife ventured out for Black Friday shopping for the first time in years.
—Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2023
Rather than venturing into the unknown, start with our edit of hero pieces, below.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
During their time filming, Polaha and the other cast and crew members did venture out and explore their surroundings.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
Earlier this year, Satisfaction ventured into English-language markets with a stake in Yes Yes Media, the company founded by Richard Bacon alongside Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sister Media.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
More customers ventured into that no-man’s-land dining window since Shake Shack began offering 2-for-1 fries, lemonades and shakes, generating incremental sales as a result, Fogertey said.
—Katie Deighton, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
In 2023, the average homebuyer ventured a mere 20 miles from their old stomping grounds, barely a stone’s throw further than the 15-mile average over the prior 33 years.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
During Covid, when businesses closed, Rambler traveled the Southwest generating brand awareness, venturing through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.
—Meimei Fox, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
While on the red carpet, the leading lady, 22, who stars as District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, recalled her very first time venturing to the Capitol of Panem just over 10 years ago.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Noun
This partnership not only accelerates creative ventures but also harnesses India’s burgeoning film incentives, leveraging Singapore’s strategic position to amplify diverse voices and narratives across the Asia-Pacific.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023
This is reflected in the lack of wealth accumulating in younger generations, who should be risking their resources for ventures of their own — the great enterprises of tomorrow.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 Nov. 2023
Photo: Mary Rafferty The Pritzker Organization, the family office for Thomas Pritzker who is the executive chairman of
Hyatt Hotels
, has started a venture division to invest in early-stage companies with a $190 million fund.
—Marc Vartabedian, WSJ, 22 Nov. 2023
Fortune has set out to accomplish its own herculean goal: mapping out Musk’s myriad ventures.
—Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2023
Vinod Khosla The veteran venture capitalist and founder of Khosla Ventures is an early investor in OpenAI.
—Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
The venture is Snoop Dogg’s latest foray into gaming.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
At the same time, reports emerged that Altman and Brockman were pitching a new AI venture of their own to investors.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE about her brand Goop's latest venture into beauty, good.clean.goop, the actress, 51, highlights which products from the collection her beau loves to steal from her.
—Mia McNiece, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'venture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English venteren, aphetic form of aventuren, auntren "to occur by chance, expose to risk, take a chance" — more at adventure entry 2
Noun
Middle English, aphetic form of aventure — more at adventure entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of venture was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing venture
Dictionary Entries Near venture
Cite this Entry
“Venture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venture. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
venture
1 of 2 verb
ven·ture
ˈven-chər
ventured; venturing
ˈvench-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to expose to risk
ventured a dollar on the lottery
2
: to face the risks and dangers of
ventured the stormy sea
3
: to offer at the risk of being criticized
venture an opinion
venture to disagree
4
: to go ahead in spite of danger
ventured down the cliff
venture
2 of 2 noun
: an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger
especially
: a speculative business enterprise
Legal Definition
venture
noun
ven·ture
ˈven-chər
: an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger
especially
: a speculative business enterprise see also joint venture
More from Merriam-Webster on venture
Nglish: Translation of venture for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of venture for Arabic Speakers
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