venture

verb ven·ture \ ˈven(t)-shər \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

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

Before venturing here, Montes had limited his fieldwork in this geological collision zone to Panama, where telltale rocks are also uncovered.

— lizzie wade, Science | AAAS, "Colombian scientists race to study once-forbidden territory before it is lost to development—or new conflict," 26 Apr. 2018
Langford is set to venture to the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, Oregon, on Friday.

— kenzie winstead, The Courier-Journal, "Nike Hoops Summit next up as Romeo Langford nears decision time," 9 Apr. 2018
Not long ago, when travelers ventured beyond Loop 820, the skies opened and cattle bedecked the landscape, forming a veritable gateway to rural West Texas.

— gordon dickson, star-telegram, "What housing shortage? Fort Worth development is building quickly | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 28 Mar. 2018
In the latest case of Silicon Valley chasing immortality, one of Y Combinator’s ventures aims to chemically freeze human brains in order to preserve the neurons and synapses, theoretically also preserving the memories stored there.

— grace donnelly, Fortune, "Nectome Wants to Preserve Your Brain for Decades, But the Process Will Kill You," 14 Mar. 2018
Several Canadian diplomats and their families also experienced similar symptoms, which generated more questions about why Cuba would venture to attack officials from Canada, the number one source of tourism on the island.

— nora gámez torres, miamiherald, "Computer scientists may have solved the mystery behind the ‘sonic attacks’ in Cuba | Miami Herald," 2 Mar. 2018
Sarah Gadon, who most recently starred in Netflix’s Alias Grace, plays a young Princess Elizabeth, who ventures out of Buckingham Palace for one night (with permission from her dad, the King) to participate in the VE Day celebrations in 1945.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "The 11 Best Movies To Watch If You Love The Royals," 2 Mar. 2018
Deer Park went undefeated in the regular season and the Wildcats will venture into the postseason as the No.

— adam baum, Cincinnati.com, "Moeller, Princeton and Deer Park hold steady in final boys basketball state poll," 20 Feb. 2018
Barbara, 15, and Patty, 13, went missing after venturing out on December 28, 1955, to watch the Elvis Presley movie Love Me Tender.

— kate shepherd, Chicago Reader, "News / Did You Read __________? Chinese billionaire puts the Vista Tower up for sale, and other Chicago news," 30 Jan. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

venture Synonyms

Synonyms

adventure, chance, gamble (on), hazard, risk, tempt;

compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace;

expose, subject;

bet (on), wager;

Phrases

run the risk of;

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

Representatives of the joint venture between Prince Contracting and Delta Railroad Construction say there’s still a possibility the final price will be reduced enough to meet the original requirements.

— larry barszewski, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Will today be the end for Fort Lauderdale's streetcars?," 8 May 2018
Sixty-three Jacksons stores that now sell Chevron or Texaco gasoline will soon become ExtraMile convenience stores, under a joint venture of the two companies.

— john sowell, idahostatesman, "Why the signs at 25 Jacksons Food Stores in the Treasure Valley will come down | Idaho Statesman," 2 May 2018
In response, the engine maker CFM, a joint venture of GE and France’s Safran SA, called for airlines to inspect the engines within 12 months.

— barbara peterson, Popular Mechanics, "Airlines Race To Inspect the Engine That Went Wrong on Southwest Flight 1380," 24 Apr. 2018
The amendments were needed because the tribes had formed a joint venture to establish the East Windsor casino and not individually.

— kenneth r. gosselin, courant.com, "Inspector General Probes Interior Department's Handling Of Connecticut Casino Expansion," 23 Apr. 2018
While Vanguard is in one sense playing catchup to rivals including BlackRock Inc. that have operated China joint ventures for years, the nation is now offering foreign money managers the chance to run their businesses without local partners.

— bloomberg news, BostonGlobe.com, "Vanguard aims to bring low-cost investing to China as the country eases its restrictions," 23 Apr. 2018
In the 1980s and 1990s, companies took advantage of this -- for example, Maruti Suzuki, a joint venture between the Japanese and an Indian automotive companies, established a massive manufacturing plant in Gurgaon around this time.

— heidi pullyard, CNN, "Transforming a desert into India's new tech hub," 22 Apr. 2018
Johnson says representatives of the passengers will most likely focus litigation on Southwest Airlines as opposed to other parties involved such as Boeing or the the engine's builder, a joint-venture led by General Electric.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Southwest passengers could collect millions after deadly ordeal," 19 Apr. 2018
Grand Victoria was originally a joint venture between Circus Circus Enterprises and Hyatt Gaming.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Sale of Grand Victoria Casino could be good for Elgin, city council member says," 16 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of venture

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

venture Synonyms

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

Learn More about venture

See words that rhyme with venture Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for venture Spanish Central: Translation of venture Nglish: Translation of venture for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of venture for Arabic speakers

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venture

Definition of venture

venturer

Examples of venture in a Sentence

Recent Examples of venture from the Web

Origin and Etymology of venture

venture Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases

venture

Definition of venture

Examples of venture in a Sentence

Recent Examples of venture from the Web

Origin and Etymology of venture

venture Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Other Business Terms

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Related Phrases

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

Definition of venture for Students

venture

Definition of venture for Students

Law Dictionary

venture

legal Definition of venture

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