enterprise
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɛntəˌpɹaɪz//
- Canada//ˈɛntɚˌpɹaɪz//
- Australia//ˈen.təˌpɹɑez//
- New Zealand/[ˈen.təˌpɹɑe̯z]/
A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
noun
- 1
A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
The government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.
A micro-enterprise is defined as a company or business having 5 or fewer employees and a low seed capital.
- 2
An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
Biosphere 2 was a scientific enterprise aimed at the exploration of the complex web of interactions within life systems.
- 3
A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.
This loss of interest, hair, and enterprise — / Ah, if the game were poker, yes, / You might discard them, draw a full house! / But it's chess.
- 4
Active participation in projects.
Etymology
From Old French via Middle English and Middle French entreprise, feminine past participle of entreprendre (“to undertake”), from entre (“in between”) + prendre (“to take”), from Latin inter + prehendō, see prehensile.
verb
- 1
To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
Charles Mordaunt Earl of Peterborow[…], with only 280 horse and 950 foot , enterprised and accomplished the Conquest of Valentia
- 2
To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
The business must be enterprised this night.
c. 1680, Thomas Otway, letter to Elizabeth Barry What would I not renounce or enterprise for you!
- 3
obsoleteTo put up or house; to entertain.
Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprize.
Forms
- plural
- enterprises
- past tense
- enterprised
- past participle
- enterprised
- present participle
- enterprising
- third person singular
- enterprises
enterprise · A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
Enterprise · A number of places in the United States: A city in Coffee…entertain · To amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably.entertained · Enjoying to having enjoyed entertainments; amused.