Difference Wiki

Enterprise vs. Company: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 3, 2023
An "Enterprise" refers to a business or project undertaken, while a "Company" is a legal entity formed for business activities.

Key Differences

The term "Enterprise" is versatile and can refer to any endeavor, especially those that are associated with business or are of significant scale. It encapsulates the spirit of initiative, venture, and undertaking. An "Enterprise" might not always be linked to commercial activities but can refer to any large project or undertaking. On the other hand, a "Company" specifically denotes a legal entity recognized by the state, designed for business operations, and which can range from a single proprietorship to a multinational corporation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
In another perspective, "Enterprise" often implies a sense of ambition, risk, and initiative. It might be used to describe a new start-up venturing into uncharted territories or a significant project undertaken by an individual or group. A "Company," however, often implies structure, with its primary focus on business transactions, profit generation, and adherence to legal and corporate norms.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
When discussing scale, the term "Enterprise" is also used to signify something vast and complex. For instance, enterprise-level software solutions denote software designed for large organizations, focusing on scalability and robustness. A "Company," depending on its type (e.g., LLC, Inc., or Co.), can vary in scale and might not necessarily always be vast or complex.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
From a linguistic standpoint, while "Enterprise" and "Company" can sometimes be used interchangeably when referring to a business, the context matters. "Enterprise" has a broader scope, potentially referring to any significant undertaking or initiative. In contrast, a "Company" is always associated with formal business structures and operations.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Comparison Chart

Nature

Endeavor or initiative
Legal entity for business
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Oct 03, 2023
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Implication

Ambition, risk, and initiative
Structure, business operations, profit generation
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Scope

Can be non-commercial
Strictly commercial
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Oct 03, 2023

Size and Complexity

Often implies large scale or complexity
Can vary in scale
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Usage in Language

Broad, can refer to projects or ventures
Specific to business entities
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Enterprise and Company Definitions

Enterprise

A system or facility provided by a business.
The car rental Enterprise offers various services.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
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Company

An association or interaction with someone.
I had the pleasure of your father's Company at the event.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Enterprise

A project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one.
The moon landing was a historic Enterprise.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Company

A military unit.
He served in the same Company during the war.
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Oct 03, 2023

Enterprise

An initiative or willingness to undertake new projects.
His spirit of Enterprise made him a successful entrepreneur.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Company

A group of persons
A company of scientists.
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Oct 25, 2022
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Enterprise

Relating to or available for large organizations.
Enterprise software solutions cater to big corporations.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023

Company

One's companions or associates
Moved in fast company.
Is known by the company she keeps.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A guest or guests
Had company for the weekend.
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

A business organization.
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Company

The state of friendly companionship; fellowship
Was grateful for her company.
Friends who finally parted company.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

Industrious, systematic activity, especially when directed toward profit
Private enterprise is basic to capitalism.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A business enterprise; a firm.
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

Willingness to undertake new ventures; initiative
"Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling, and spending their lives like serfs" (Henry David Thoreau).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Company

A partner or partners not specifically named in a firm's title
Lee Rogers and Company.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
The government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.
A micro-enterprise is defined as a company or business having 5 or fewer employees and a low seed capital.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Company

A troupe of dramatic or musical performers
A repertory company.
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
Biosphere 2 was a scientific enterprise aimed at the exploration of the complex web of interactions within life systems.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Company

A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit. It is usually under the command of a captain and is made up of at least two platoons.
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

(uncountable) A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A unit of firefighters.
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

(uncountable) Active participation in projects. en
Sawaira Riaz
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Company

A ship's crew and officers. See Usage Note at collective noun.
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Enterprise

(intransitive) To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
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Company

To accompany or associate with.
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Enterprise

(transitive) To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
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Company

To keep company with someone; associate.
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Enterprise

(transitive) To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
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Company

A team; a group of people who work together professionally.
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Enterprise

That which is undertaken; something attempted to be performed; a work projected which involves activity, courage, energy, and the like; a bold, arduous, or hazardous attempt; an undertaking; as, a manly enterprise; a warlike enterprise.
Their hands can not perform their enterprise.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A group of individuals who work together for a common purpose.
A company of actors.
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Enterprise

Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities; as, a man of great enterprise.
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Company

(military) A unit of approximately sixty to one hundred and twenty soldiers, typically consisting of two or three platoons and forming part of a battalion.
The boys in Company C
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
The business must be enterprised this night.
What would I not renounce or enterprise for you!
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Company

A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
It took six companies to put out the fire.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

(nautical) The entire crew of a ship.
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Enterprise

To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
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Company

An intelligence service.
As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.
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Oct 25, 2022

Enterprise

A purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness);
He had doubts about the whole enterprise
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A small group of birds or animals.
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Enterprise

An organization created for business ventures;
A growing enterprise must have a bold leader
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Company

(legal) An entity having legal personality, and thus able to own property and to sue and be sued in its own name; a corporation.
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Enterprise

Readiness to embark on bold new ventures
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Company

(business) Any business, whether incorporated or not, that manufactures or sells products (also known as goods), or provides services as a commercial venture.
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Company

(uncountable) Social visitors or companions.
Keep the house clean; I have company coming.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

(uncountable) Companionship.
I treasure your company.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

To accompany, keep company with.
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Company

To associate.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

To be a lively, cheerful companion.
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Company

To have sexual intercourse.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompanying; fellowship; companionship; society; friendly intercourse.
Evil company doth corrupt good manners.
Brethren, farewell: your company alongI will not wish.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A companion or companions.
To thee and thy company I bidA hearty welcome.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient.
Thou shalt meet a company of prophets.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine.
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Company

Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse.
Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

An association of persons for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an insurance company; a joint-stock company.
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Company

Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; - often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer & Co.
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Company

A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.
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Company

The crew of a ship, including the officers; as, a whole ship's company.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

The body of actors employed in a theater or in the production of a play.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Company

To accompany or go with; to be companion to.
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

To associate.
Men which have companied with us all the time.
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Company

To be a gay companion.
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Company

To have sexual commerce.
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Company

An institution created to conduct business;
He only invests in large well-established companies
He started the company in his garage
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Company

Organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical);
The traveling company all stayed at the same hotel
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Company

The state of being with someone;
He missed their company
He enjoyed the society of his friends
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

Small military unit; usually two or three platoons
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Company

A band of people associated temporarily in some activity;
They organized a party to search for food
The company of cooks walked into the kitchen
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Company

A social gathering of guests or companions;
The house was filled with company when I arrived
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Company

A social or business visitor;
The room was a mess because he hadn't expected company
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

A unit of firefighters including their equipment;
A hook-and-ladder company
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

Crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship
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Oct 25, 2022

Company

Be a companion to somebody
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2022

Company

A business entity formed to sell goods or services.
His Company deals in organic produce.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Company

A group of people assembled for a particular purpose.
She enjoys the Company of like-minded individuals.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023

Company

The fact or condition of being with another.
She sought the Company of friends during tough times.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

FAQs

Can an Enterprise be non-commercial?

Yes, an Enterprise can refer to any significant project or undertaking, not strictly commercial.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Can a single person start an Enterprise?

Yes, an individual can start an Enterprise, be it a business or a significant project.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Is "enterprise software" for big companies only?

Generally, enterprise software is designed for large organizations, emphasizing scalability.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023

What legal structures can a Company have?

Companies can have various legal structures, like LLC, Inc., Co., or PLC.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

Are all Companies profit-oriented?

Most are, but there are non-profit Companies dedicated to charitable or social causes.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Can a single individual form a Company?

Yes, sole proprietorships are Companies run by single individuals.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Are the terms "Enterprise" and "Company" interchangeable?

Sometimes, especially in business contexts, but "Enterprise" has a broader scope.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Is a Company always a legal entity?

Yes, a Company denotes a legal entity recognized by the state for business purposes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Does every Enterprise need to be registered?

Not always, but if it's a commercial business, registration might be required.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

Do all Companies pay taxes?

Generally, Companies have tax obligations, but specifics depend on jurisdiction and structure.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Can an Enterprise consist of multiple Companies?

Yes, large Enterprises can encompass several subsidiary or partner Companies.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023

Is "enterprise risk" specific to large companies?

No, while often associated with large entities, any business can face enterprise risks.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023

Do Companies always have employees?

Not always, some Companies, especially sole proprietorships, may not have employees.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Can one refer to a small business as an Enterprise?

Yes, "Enterprise" can refer to any business, regardless of size.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

How does one choose between an "Enterprise" and a "Company" structure?

It depends on the nature of the endeavor and legal or operational preferences.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

Can an Enterprise be temporary?

Yes, an Enterprise can be a temporary undertaking or project.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023

How does a "Company" differ globally?

While the core idea remains, legal structures, regulations, and norms can differ by country.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

Can an Enterprise be a one-time project?

Yes, an Enterprise can refer to a significant one-time project or initiative.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023

What's the key focus of a Company?

Typically, Companies focus on business operations and profit generation.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023

Can an Enterprise be an idea or concept?

While often referring to actions or projects, it can allude to ambitious ideas or concepts.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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