a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
"he had doubts about the whole enterprise"
an organization created for business ventures
"a growing enterprise must have a bold leader"
readiness to embark on bold new ventures
"Her colleagues admired her enterprise as she decided to launch a startup despite having no prior business experience."
A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
"The local community pooled their resources to launch a new nonprofit enterprise focused on providing free meals during the holidays."
In plain English: An enterprise is a business created to make money by selling products or services.
"The local community enterprise sells handmade crafts at the market."
Usage: Use "enterprise" to describe a large-scale project, a specific business venture, or an ambitious undertaking rather than referring to general commercial activity. It often implies a degree of innovation or risk when describing efforts to achieve a particular goal.
To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
"The explorers decided to undertake the dangerous expedition despite the warnings from their crew."
In plain English: To enterprise means to start and manage a business on your own.
"The company decided to enterprise into new markets by opening stores in Asia."
Usage: Use "enterprise" as a verb to mean undertaking a bold or difficult task, though this usage is now archaic and rarely found in modern speech. Instead of saying someone will "enterprise a new project," use the more common phrase "undertake an enterprise."
A city in Coffee County, Alabama, United States.
"The Enterprise Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception to welcome new businesses moving to that growing city in Alabama."
The word enterprise entered English from the Old French phrase entreprendre, which originally meant "to undertake." This French term was formed by combining words meaning "between" and "to take," ultimately tracing back to Latin roots for grasping or seizing.