venture Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
  2. noun an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits
    speculation.
    • he knew the stock was a speculation when he bought it
  3. noun a commercial undertaking that risks a loss but promises a profit
  4. verb proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
    embark.
    • We ventured into the world of high-tech and bought a supercomputer
  5. verb put forward, of a guess, in spite of possible refutation
    guess; pretend; hazard.
    • I am guessing that the price of real estate will rise again
    • I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong
  6. verb put at risk
    stake; jeopardize; hazard; adventure.
    • I will stake my good reputation for this

WordNet

Ven"ture noun
Etymology
Aphetic form of OE. aventure. See Adventure.
Definitions
  1. An undertaking of chance or danger; the risking of something upon an event which can not be foreseen with certainty; a hazard; a risk; a speculation.
    I, in this venture, double gains pursue. Dryden.
  2. An event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. Bacon.
  3. The thing put to hazard; a stake; a risk; especially, something sent to sea in trade.
    My ventures are not in one bottom trusted. Shak.
    A certain man drew a bow at a venture. 1 Kings xxii. 34.
    A bargain at a venture made. Hudibras.
    ✍ The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure, that is, at adventure.
Ven"ture intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ventured ; present participle & verbal noun Venturing
Definitions
  1. To hazard one's self; to have the courage or presumption to do, undertake, or say something; to dare. Bunyan.
  2. To make a venture; to run a hazard or risk; to take the chances.
    Who freights a ship to venture on the seas. J. Dryden, Jr.
    Waller.
Ven"ture transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To expose to hazard; to risk; to hazard; as, to venture one's person in a balloon.
    I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it. Shak.
  2. To put or send on a venture or chance; as, to venture a horse to the West Indies.
  3. To confide in; to rely on; to trust. R.
    A man would be well enough pleased to buy silks of one whom he would not venture to feel his pulse. Addison.

Webster 1913