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an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome, especially a risky or dangerous one:
a mountain-climbing venture.
a business enterprise or speculation in which something is risked in the hope of profit; a commercial or other speculation:
Their newest venture allows you to order their products online.
the money, ship, cargo, merchandise, or the like, on which risk is taken in a business enterprise or speculation.
Obsolete. hazard or risk.
to expose to hazard; risk: to venture one’s fortune;
to venture one’s life.
to take the risk of; brave the dangers of:
to venture a voyage into space.
to undertake to express, as when opposition or resistance appears likely to follow; be bold enough; dare:
I venture to say that you are behaving foolishly.
to take the risk of sending.
to make or embark upon a venture; dare to enter or go:
He ventured deep into the jungle.
to take a risk; dare; presume:
to venture on an ambitious program of reform.
to invest .
of or relating to an investment or investments in new businesses:
a venture fund.
at a venture, according to chance; at random:
A successor was chosen at a venture.
Contemporary Examples

Even on the events (all too rare) when Jackson or Lopez (never Tyler) venture into criticism, the barbs barely break the flesh.
The American Idol Implosion Richard Rushfield April 11, 2011

Venus in Libra, by Thursday, makes it clear: you must venture forth.
The Stars Predict Your Week Starsky + Cox September 9, 2011

It was enough for him to locate it; he did not venture there.
The Strange Heritage of Columbus Day Laurence Bergreen October 9, 2011

When did telling people to use caution and venture only where necessary stop being enough?
Was Shutting Down Boston Really a Good Idea? Michael Tomasky April 18, 2013

One way Hseih and the gang are drawing talent to the downtown area is by partnering with venture for America.
A Tech Millionaire Bets on the Urban Revival of Downtown Las Vegas Sarah Kunst January 15, 2014

Historical Examples

Ralph looked disappointed, but did not venture to press the subject.
The Young Acrobat of the Great North American Circus Horatio Alger Jr.

It has not; and we venture to express our confident belief, that it never will.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 Various

I know no other way but this he has proposed: if you have love enough to run the venture.
The Comedies of William Congreve William Congreve

She was too utterly unacquainted with the ground to venture.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking Isabella Alden

I make an attempt to find the scientist and venture a question.
McClure’s Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 4, September 1893 Various

verb
(transitive) to expose to danger; hazard: he ventured his life
(transitive) to brave the dangers of (something): I’ll venture the seas
(transitive) to dare (to do something): does he venture to object?
(transitive; may take a clause as object) to express in spite of possible refutation or criticism: I venture that he is not that honest
(intransitive; often foll by out, forth, etc) to embark on a possibly hazardous journey, undertaking, etc: to venture forth upon the high seas
noun
an undertaking that is risky or of uncertain outcome

a commercial undertaking characterized by risk of loss as well as opportunity for profit
the merchandise, money, or other property placed at risk in such an undertaking

something hazarded or risked in an adventure; stake
(archaic) chance or fortune
at a venture, at random; by chance
v.

mid-15c., “to risk the loss” (of something), shortened form of aventure, itself a form of adventure. General sense of “to dare, to presume” is recorded from 1550s. Noun sense of “risky undertaking” first recorded 1560s; meaning “enterprise of a business nature” is recorded from 1580s. Venture capital is attested from 1943.
see: nothing ventured, nothing gained