en ‧ ter ‧ prise W2 /ˈentəpraɪz $ -tər-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: entreprise , from entreprendre 'to undertake' , from prendre 'to take' ]
1 . [countable] a company, organization, or business:
commercial enterprises such as banks and food manufacturers
state/public enterprise especially British English (=one owned by the government)
2 . [uncountable] the activity of starting and running businesses:
the management of state enterprise (=done by the government)
⇨ ↑ free enterprise , ↑ private enterprise
3 . [countable] a large and complicated project, especially one that is done with a group of other people SYN initiative :
The programme is a joint enterprise with the London Business School.
4 . [uncountable] the ability to think of new activities or ideas and make them work:
We’re looking for young people with enterprise and creativity.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + enterprise
▪ a large/large-scale enterprise
The company has grown into a large-scale enterprise that employs hundreds of people.
▪ a small/small-scale enterprise
The tax will affect owners of small-scale enterprises consisting of up to ten people.
▪ a successful enterprise
She is the owner of an extremely successful enterprise.
▪ a commercial/business enterprise
If you are setting up your own business enterprise, your bank can help.
▪ an economic enterprise (=one that is intended to make money)
It's an economic enterprise, not a charity.
▪ a state/state-owned enterprise ( also a public enterprise British English ) (=one owned by the government)
New Zealand Rail is a state-owned enterprise.
■ enterprise + NOUN
▪ an enterprise zone (=an area created by the government to attract businesses)
Many firms relocate to enterprise zones because of tax incentives.
▪ an enterprise economy (=an economic system in which there are many private businesses)
An enterprise economy can generate wealth and reduce unemployment.