# enterprise

Pronunciation: US say "EN-tur-pryz" /ˈɛntɚˌpɹaɪz/; UK say "EN-tuh-pryz" /ˈɛntəˌpɹaɪz/

## Noun

1. A company, business, or other organization formed to carry out purposeful work.
   - Simple: A business or company set up to do organized work.
   - _The startup grew into a profitable enterprise within five years._
   - _Government grants helped several local enterprises expand overseas._
2. An undertaking or venture, especially one that is daring and requires courage.
   - Simple: A big project that people try, often a bold or risky one.
   - _The polar expedition was an enterprise few explorers dared to attempt._
   - _Building the bridge across the gorge proved a costly enterprise._
3. A willingness to take on new or risky projects, together with energy and initiative.
   - Simple: The energy and willingness to try new or risky things.
   - _His enterprise and drive turned a tiny workshop into a thriving factory._
   - _The award honors students who display real enterprise in solving problems._
4. Active participation and involvement in projects and undertakings.
   - Simple: Taking an active part in projects and getting things done.
   - _The company culture values enterprise, expecting everyone to contribute actively._
   - _His steady enterprise on community efforts made him a trusted organizer._

## Verb

5. To undertake something; to begin and attempt to carry it out; to venture upon it.
   - Simple: To begin and try to carry out something.
   - _The merchants enterprised a risky voyage to distant ports._
   - _She was the first to enterprise a sweeping reform of the institution._
6. To set out on a venture, or to attempt something dangerous or difficult.
   - Simple: To take on a risky or hard task.
   - _The explorers enterprised into uncharted waters despite the dangers._
   - _Investors who enterprise abroad must accept greater risk._

## Verb

7. To put someone up or house them; to receive and entertain a guest. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To take someone in as a guest and give them food and a place to stay.
   - _The abbey enterprised pilgrims who arrived after dark._
   - _Wealthy families would enterprise visiting nobles for weeks at a time._

## Origin

It comes through Middle English and Middle French from Old French entreprise, the feminine past participle of entreprendre ("to undertake"), from entre ("in between") plus prendre ("to take"), which trace back to Latin inter and prehendō.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/enterprise (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).