Ventures

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Activities or enterprises that are characterized by risk and uncertainty in pursuit of profit
2. Projects or activities involving considerable risk with potential for financial gain
3. Undertakings that carry uncertainty but aim to achieve economic success

Etymology: "Ventures" is the plural of "venture," which is a clipping of "adventure." The longer form came into English from Old French "aventure," which traces back to Latin "adventura," meaning "that which is about to happen." Over time, the shorter form split off and took on its own life, so that "venture" now mostly names a deliberate, risky undertaking rather than the open-ended chance that "adventure" once suggested. The shift from chance to commerce is the interesting part. Early senses of "adventure" were broad, covering anything that happened by fortune, and the notion of staking something on an outcome came to the fore with trade and exploration. By the time "venture" stood alone as a noun, it was tied to money put at risk for a possible return, which is why "ventures" today most often refers to business enterprises.

Synonyms: projects, undertakings