team

[ teem ]

noun

1. a number of persons forming one of the sides in a game or contest:

   a football team.

2. a number of persons associated in some joint action:

   a team of advisers.

3. two or more horses, oxen, or other animals harnessed together to draw a vehicle, plow, or the like.
4. one or more draft animals together with the harness and vehicle drawn.
5. a family of young animals, especially ducks or pigs.
6. Obsolete. offspring or progeny; lineage or stock.

verb (used with object)

1. to join together in a team.
2. Chiefly Northern U.S. Older Use. to convey or transport by means of a team; haul.

verb (used without object)

1. to drive a team.
2. to gather or join in a team, a band, or a cooperative effort (usually followed by up, together, etc.).

   Synonyms: merge, ally, unite, combine

adjective

1. of, relating to, or performed by a team:

   a team sport; team effort.

team

/ tiːm /

noun

1. a group of people organized to work together
2. a group of players forming one of the sides in a sporting contest
3. two or more animals working together to pull a vehicle or agricultural implement
4. such animals and the vehicle

   the coachman riding his team

5. dialect.
   a flock, herd, or brood
6. obsolete.
   ancestry

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by up to make or cause to make a team

   he teamed George with Robert

2. tr to drag or transport in or by a team
3. intr to drive a team

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Words From

• inter·team adjective
• under·teamed adjective
• un·teamed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of team¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English teme (noun), Old English tēam “child-bearing, brood, offspring, set of draft beasts”; cognate with Dutch toom “bridle, reins,” German Zaum, Old Norse taumr

Word History and Origins

Origin of team¹

Old English team offspring; related to Old Frisian tām bridle, Old Norse taumr chain yoking animals together, Old High German zoum bridle

Example Sentences

One of Streeting’s team told me: “Wes has approached this issue in a genuine, thoughtful and considerate way, setting out his own view while respecting others’ views.”

From BBC

His team insist he would carry on, and point out other ministers in the health department disagree with him, so it is certain some health ministers will find themselves on the losing side of the argument.

From BBC

Rachael was 23 and working at Mohamed Al Fayed's private office in 1994, when she was rung by the Harrods human resources team and offered a position as personal assistant to Salah.

From BBC

Shea Charles will captain the side against Belarus in his 22nd appearance for the senior team.

From BBC

The team has just two seniors in addition to three players who plan to redshirt in hopes of a larger role next season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• club
• company
• lineup
• organization
• party
• side
• squad
• unit