enterprise

Meaning

Noun

1. A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
2. An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
3. A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
4. Active participation in projects.

Verb

1. To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
2. To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
3. To treat with hospitality; to entertain.

Hyphenated as

en‧ter‧prise

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɛntəˌpɹaɪz/

Etymology

From Old French via Middle English and Middle French entreprise, feminine past participle of entreprendre (“to undertake”), from entre (“in between”) + prendre (“to take”), from Latin inter + prehendō, see prehensile.