corporation

[ kawr-puh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an association of individuals, created by law or under authority of law, having a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members. municipal corporation, public corporation.
2. Corporation, the group of principal officials of a borough or other municipal division in England.
3. any group of persons united or regarded as united in one body.
4. Informal. a paunch; potbelly.

corporation

/ ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. a group of people authorized by law to act as a legal personality and having its own powers, duties, and liabilities
2. Also calledmunicipal corporation the municipal authorities of a city or town
3. a group of people acting as one body
4. See public corporation
5. informal.
   a large paunch or belly

corporation

1. A business organization owned by a group of stockholders , each of whom enjoys limited liability (that is, each can be held responsible for losses only up to the limit of his or her investment ). A corporation has the ability to raise capital by selling stock to the public.

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Words From

• corpo·ration·al adjective
• multi·corpo·ration noun
• noncor·po·ration noun
• subcor·po·ration noun
• super·corpo·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of corporation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin corporātiōn- (stem of corporātiō ) “guild,” Latin: “physical makeup, build”; corporate, -ion

Example Sentences

“Trump’s tax proposals would substantially raise taxes on regular Americans while delivering more tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy.”

From Salon

The authors call on governments and corporations to clarify how much they are counting on natural carbon sinks to meet their climate goals, as well as recognising the need for Geological Net Zero.

From Science Daily

Trump will be set on removing regulatory agencies over the environment to appease the billionaires and corporations.

From Salon

It is now run and predominantly owned by chief executive Jay Graber as a US public benefit corporation.

From BBC

The corporation has thanked all the cast and crew, while stressing it remained "fully committed" to TV production in the West Midlands.

From BBC

Related Words

• business
• company
• enterprise