What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Agency vs Enterprise - What's the difference?

agency | enterprise |

As nouns the difference between agency and enterprise

is that agency is the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; action or activity; operation while enterprise is a company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.

As a verb enterprise is

to undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.

agency

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(agencies)
  • The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; action or activity; operation.
  • The superintendence and agency of Providence in the natural world. --Woodward.
  • A person or thing through which power is exerted or an end is achieved: instrumentality, means.
  • The office or function of an agent; also, the relationship between a principal and that person's agent.
  • An establishment engaged in doing business for another; also, the place of business or the district of such an agency.
  • A department or other administrative unit of a government; also, the office or headquarters of, or the district administered by such unit of government.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
    Central Intelligence Agency

    Synonyms

    * action * operation * efficiency * instrumentality * management

    Derived terms

    {{der3, dating agency , employment agency , escort agency , introduction agency , news agency , press agency , relief agency , syndication agency , travel agency}}

    enterprise

    Alternative forms

    * enterprize (chiefly archaic) * entreprise (chiefly archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
  • The (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.
    A micro-enterprise is defined as a business having 5 or fewer employees and a low seed capital.
  • An undertaking 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.
  • A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
  • He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.
  • an active participation in projects
  • Synonyms

    * initiative

    Derived terms

    * enterprising * commercial enterprise * scientific enterprise

    Verb

    (enterpris)
  • To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
  • (Alexander Pope)
  • To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
  • * Dryden
  • The business must be enterprised this night.
  • * T. Otway
  • What would I not renounce or enterprise for you!
  • To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
  • * Spenser
  • Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise .
    (Webster 1913)