enterprise

enterprise
en‧ter‧prise W2 /ˈentəpraɪz $ -tər-/ noun1. [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.
     

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.