Etymologically
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enterprise

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 03:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈen.tə.praɪz/, US /ˈen.t̬ɚ.praɪz/[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English enterprise, borrowed from Old French entreprise (“an undertaking”),[2][3][4] a noun use of the feminine past participle of entreprendre (“to undertake”),[2][3] from entre- “between” and prendre “to take”,[2][4] from prehendere (“to catch hold of, seize”).[2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

An undertaking, especially a bold or difficult one: about 1430 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.[6][2]

Semantic evolution

Readiness to engage in difficult or risky undertakings, a daring spirit, is from 1475.[6][2] Management or superintendence is from 1534 and obsolete.[6] A commercial or industrial undertaking is from 1862, and engagement in such undertakings in general from 1769.[6] Enterprise zone, an area with tax breaks to encourage business, is from 1978, and enterprise culture from 1980.[6] The verb, to undertake, is from 1485 but now rare.[6][7]

Timeline

  • c. 1430 – an undertaking.[6]
  • 1475 – a daring spirit.[6]
  • 1862 – a business undertaking.[6]
  • 1978 – enterprise zone.[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A large project, especially a bold or difficult one.
  2. A business or company.
  3. Business activity, especially that of private individuals: private enterprise.
  4. Willingness to try new and difficult things; initiative.

Word family

  • enterpriser
  • enterpriseless
  • enterprising
  • microenterprise
  • free enterprise
  • entrepreneur
  • emprise

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press