noun
- a project undertaken or to be undertaken, especially one that is important or difficult or that requires boldness or energy: To keep the peace is a difficult enterprise.
- a plan for such a project.
- participation or engagement in such projects: Our country was formed by the enterprise of resolute men and women.
- boldness or readiness in undertaking; adventurous spirit; ingenuity.
- a company organized for commercial purposes; business firm.
- (initial capital letter) Military. the first nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961, with a displacement of 89,000 tons (80,723 metric tons) and eight reactors.
- (initial capital letter, italics) U.S. Aerospace. the first space shuttle, used for atmospheric flight and landing tests.
noun
- a city in S Alabama.
noun
- a project or undertaking, esp one that requires boldness or effort
- participation in such projects
- readiness to embark on new ventures; boldness and energy
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- initiative in business
- (as modifier)the enterprise culture
- a business unit; a company or firm
early 15c., “an undertaking,” from Old French enterprise “an undertaking,” noun use of fem. past participle of entreprendre “undertake, take in hand,” from entre- “between” (see entre-) + prendre “to take,” contraction of prehendere (see prehensile). Abstract sense of “readiness to undertake challenges, spirit of daring” is from late 15c.
see free enterprise.