When do we use 'enterprise' to mean 'company'

The following extract helps understand the main differences. Entreprise has a wider definition which actually contains that of a Company:

Company

• Any business that is conducted with the aim of generating profits is referred to as a company. If there is an economic activity is going on, one can be pretty sure that the outfit carrying it is a company. In general, the word company indicates an organization that engages in activities geared towards earning profits for the stakeholders.

Enterprise

• An enterprise has several meanings of which one is definitely what is understood by a company. So a business organization is definitely an enterprise according to the dictionary meaning of enterprise. However, a person is also referred to as enterprising when he is seen as one who is willing to take risks to start new ventures. Private enterprise is what is meant by industriousness that is directed towards earning profits. Enterprise class is a phrase that has become common these days, and it refers to a solution or a device meant for use in a large organization. Enterprise seems to be a preferred choice when talking about IT companies as when we hear about enterprise architecture, enterprise security, and so on. ‘Small and medium enterprises’ (SME) is a very common phrase used for small ventures and units in comparison to large companies in an economy.

What is the difference between Enterprise and Company?

• While a company is typically an organization engaged in an economic activity for the purpose of earning profits for the stakeholders, an enterprise may not be a formal company in many instances.

• There are educational and community enterprises that do not fit into the definition of a company as they are not set up for the sole purpose of making profits.

• Enterprise is a word that can be used for a company though it is mostly used in the sense of action and growth as in private enterprise.

• Enterprise has become common in the context of IT these days with enterprise class and enterprise solutions being commonly used phrases.

• SME is an acronym that clearly indicates that enterprise is meant to be used for ventures.

The fact that the words share an almost identical definition makes them freely interchangeable:

Company

NOUN (plural companies)

1 A commercial business:

Enterprise

2 A business or company:

The fact that they diverge in alternate definitions, means that in certain contexts you would not be able to exchange them:

Company

3 A number of individuals gathered together:

Enterprise

NOUN

1.0 A project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one:

1.1 [MASS NOUN] Initiative and resourcefulness:

Company has a primary connotation of a group of people that is intuitively consistent with commercial business. Enterprise has a primary connotation of engaging activity that is also intuitively consistent with commercial business:

Company

mid-12c., "large group of people," from Old French compagnie "society, friendship, intimacy; body of soldiers" (12c.),

from Late Latin companio (see companion).

Meaning "companionship" is from late 13c. Sense of "business association" first recorded 1550s, having earlier been used in reference to trade guilds (c.1300). Meaning "subdivision of an infantry regiment" is from 1580s.

Enterprise

early 15c., "an undertaking," formerly also enterprize,

from Old French enterprise "an undertaking," noun use of fem. past participle of entreprendre "undertake, take in hand" (12c.),

from entre- "between" (see entre-) + prendre "to take," contraction of prehendere (see prehensile).

Abstract sense of "adventurous disposition, readiness to undertake challenges, spirit of daring" is from late 15c.

www.oxforddictionaries.com

www.etymonline.com