venture

verb ven·ture \ ˈven(t)-shər \

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

In 2014, Maidment ventured on his first hike to benefit the foundation, hiking more than 2,000 miles along the Appalachian Trail .

— quoron walker, Courant Community, "Local Resident Hikes For Cure For Alpha-1," 10 Apr. 2018
But large crowds of mostly young men inevitably ventured closer, resulting in clashes.

— chas danner, Daily Intelligencer, "What the Hell Is Happening in Gaza?," 1 Apr. 2018
Then, venture out 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday May 7 to view bird migration at Magee Marsh on the shores of Lake Erie.

— joan rusek, cleveland.com, "Andrea Thome to speak at author's luncheon: Valley Views," 1 Apr. 2018
At that press conference, no Republican — or Democrat — ventured to comment on Mr. Trump's call with Putin when asked.

— kathryn watson, CBS News, "How GOP members are responding to Trump call congratulating Putin," 21 Mar. 2018
Snowy owls do not normally migrate as far south as Kentucky, but this winter, many from the Arctic ventured deep into Midwest – a result of fluctuating food and population cycles.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Months after a daring rescue on a Louisville freeway, a snowy owl is about to be set free," 20 Mar. 2018
With a young son and bathroom renovations to keep him busy, Parrish no longer ventures out on buying trips at 4:00 a.m. every weekend.

— liza corsillo, GQ, "Design Dealer Patrick Parrish Talks Flea Market Fashion and When To Grab Furniture Off the Street," 13 Mar. 2018
Derek Holland ventured over to the Rangers' dugout before the game and shoot hands with several former teammates, including his tenant.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Should Hamels, 34, be more open-minded about extra rest from a six-man rotation? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 3 Mar. 2018
Magnit kept prices low, focusing on working-class customers, and ventured into far-flung towns and small cities that large retailers typically avoided because of the complex logistics involved.

— The Economist, "One of Russia’s most successful private entrepreneurs sells–to the state," 22 Feb. 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

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

Democratic mega-donors Ted Dintersmith, a philanthropist and a former venture capitalist, contributed $5,000 to McCabe.

— lukas mikelionis, Fox News, "FBI, Dem establishment among McCabe legal fund's donors," 11 Apr. 2018
Hear from other billion-dollar female founders and venture capitalists here.

— colleen leahey mckeegan, Marie Claire, "Why Failure Was Never an Option for Canva's CEO," 4 Apr. 2018
Kushner, a venture capitalist and Oscar Health co-founder, took part in the Washington, D.C., march with his longtime girlfriend, model Karlie Kloss.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "Jared Kushner's Brother Was At the March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C.," 25 Mar. 2018
The Democratic gubernatorial front-runner throughout the campaign has been billionaire J.B. Pritzker, another venture capitalist from one of America’s wealthiest families.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "In Illinois Primaries, Abortion Is the Big Issue," 20 Mar. 2018
Although King is not involved with this new venture, Goldsman will oversee the writers room for Netflix’s output and act as producer on the movies alongside Liefeld and Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment.

— aaron couch, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Deadpool' Creator Rob Liefeld Inks Netflix Deal for 'Extreme Universe'," 8 Mar. 2018
So what did Bon Jovi know about wine before starting this venture?

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "Bon Jovi launches his wine at Versace mansion in South Beach: ‘I feel him here’ | Miami Herald," 28 Feb. 2018
His father was happy for his son's success and that this new venture enabled Jerry to employ many of his family members throughout the years.

— courant.com, "Jerald H. Johnson," 26 Feb. 2018
Campaign finance records show Bluegrass Fund never put its resources toward helping Jones' son, venture capitalist David Jones Jr., a former school board chairman who lost his re-election bid after one term.

— justin price, The Courier-Journal, "Money shows that Mayor Greg Fischer is this elite CEO group's favorite candidate," 19 Feb. 2018

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

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

Phrases Related to VENTURE

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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