English Reference
noun

enterprise

n.
US /ˈɛnɝˌpɹaɪz/ UK /ˈɛntəpɹˌaɪz/ en·ter·prise UK spelling enterprised, enterprises

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a company or a business organization.

    a business organization or company, often implying a commercial or industrial scale.

    Simple

    The government is offering grants to help small enterprises grow.

    In context

    The merger created a massive global enterprise with operations in over fifty countries and a workforce exceeding one hundred thousand.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    a large, new, or difficult project that requires effort.

    a purposeful and typically ambitious undertaking or venture.

    Simple

    Building the new bridge was a massive enterprise that took five years.

    In context

    The exploration of the deep ocean remains a challenging enterprise that requires significant international cooperation and funding.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Academic

    the ability to think of new ideas and make them succeed.

    the quality of energy, initiative, and resourcefulness in carrying out projects.

    Simple

    She showed great enterprise by starting her own shop at age eighteen.

    In context

    The success of the startup was largely due to the founders' enterprise and their willingness to take calculated risks in a volatile market.

    initiativedriveresourcefulnessambition

Usage commercial enterprise

The company mainly recommends this choice to enterprises, not consumers.

Ars Technica· 11 Aug 2026

It is also about how current policy changes may reshape the American research enterprise for decades to come.

The Conversation· 7 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated