venture-n; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: a task whose outcome is uncertain, a gamble

Commentary: VENTURE[+activity][+uncertain][+deed]

Examples:
Invading Iraq was either a bold or a foolish venture, depending on one's perspective.
Bob believes that space exploration is a venture well worth pursuing.
Bob is trying to organize another venture into the outback.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a high-risk/high-reward investment

Commentary: VENTURE[+entity][+uncertain][+investment][+financial]
NOTE: some form of financial instrument or money

Examples:
Holding highly speculative real estate was not a venture that appealed to John.
The small firm was able to raise about ten million in venture.
These hedge funds are ventures to offset their other pension fund holdings.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: a business or enterprise that is high-risk/high-reward

Commentary: VENTURE[+entity][+uncertain][+enterprise][+business]
NOTE: a legal entity, incorporated, limited liability, S-corporation, etc.

Examples:
The biotech venture that Mary invested in is going public next week.
He has a controlling share in overseas manufacturing ventures located in southeast Asia.
Their new venture failed after only eighteen months.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: at random

Commentary: Idiom: at_a_venture

Examples:
a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king -- 1 Kings 22:34

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: idiom