/ ˈentəpraɪz; NAmE -tərp-/ noun
1.
[ C ] a company or business :
an enterprise with a turnover of $26 billion
state-owned / public enterprises
small and medium-sized enterprises
2.
[ C ] a large project, especially one that is difficult
SYN venture :
his latest business enterprise
a joint enterprise
3.
[ U ] the development of businesses by the people of a country rather than by the government :
grants to encourage enterprise in the region
an enterprise culture (= in which people are encouraged to develop small businesses)
—see also free enterprise , private enterprise
4.
[ U ] ( approving ) the ability to think of new projects and make them successful
SYN initiative :
a job in which enterprise is rewarded
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , something undertaken , feminine past participle (used as a noun) of entreprendre , based on Latin prendere , prehendere to take.