team

1 of 3

noun

ˈtēm 

1

: a number of persons associated together in work or activity: such as

a

: a group on one side (as in football or a debate)

b

: crew, gang

2

a

: two or more draft animals harnessed to the same vehicle or implement

also : these with their harness and attached vehicle

b

: a draft animal often with harness and vehicle

3

: a group of animals: such as

a

: a brood especially of young pigs or ducks

b

: a matched group of animals for exhibition

4

obsolete : lineage, race

team

2 of 3

adjective

: of or performed by a team

a team effort

also : marked by devotion to teamwork rather than individual achievement

a team player

team

3 of 3

verb

teamed; teaming; teams

transitive verb

1

: to yoke or join in a team

also : to put together in a coordinated ensemble

2

: to convey or haul with a team

intransitive verb

1

: to form a team or association : join forces or efforts

—often used with up

2

: to drive a team or motortruck

Did you know?

What is the difference between the verbs teem and team?

If you want to describe an overflowing abundance of something, the word you are looking for is teem. We often see reference to "the teeming masses," "streets teeming with activity," or "forests teeming with life." You want the word team if you are trying to describe pairing two or more things in a coordinated ensemble ("she teamed the oxen together"), or forming some kind of partnership or association ("we are teaming with another organization this year").

Synonyms of team

Noun

• crew
• army
• squad
• company
• platoon
• party
• brigade

Verb

• cooperate
• collaborate
• unite

Examples of team in a Sentence

Noun

a doubles team in tennis

He is the best player on his team.

They are the worst team in baseball.

To get the job done more quickly, we split up into teams.

We worked as a team to put out the fire.

The company hired a team of lawyers to advise them.

a search and rescue team

A dog team pulled the sled.

Verb

a show that teams two of television's funniest comedians

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Weather aside, a 3-3 record against the Nats and Angels, two teams expected to finish with 90 or more losses, wasn’t much to write home about. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

The 4-foot-tall and under hoopers from the city of LA's Parks and Recreation all-star girls teams started their own March Madness drama with the matchup between Team Fernangeles and Penmar Rec Center. —Laurie Perez, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

Adjective

That all changed in the last few years as the WNBA gained popularity and built its audience through a bubble season and the super-team era led by Wilson and Stewart. —Shannon Ryan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026

Overall, the Red Storm have played 18 games at the Garden (going 11-7), but those previous appearances always came as part of multi-team events. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026

Verb

Vai most recently performed in San Diego in 2024 as a member of BEAT, the ongoing King Crimson tribute band that teams him with Tool drummer Danny Carey and two Crimson alums, guitarist/singer Adrian Belew and bassist and stick player Tony Levin. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Big Agnes, an outdoor gear company based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, teamed with the California materials science firm to debut the UL Recovery Sleeping Bag Liner with Celliant. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English teme, from Old English tēam offspring, lineage, group of draft animals; akin to Old High German zoum rein, Old English tēon to draw, pull — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1552, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing team

• debating team
• double-team
• dream team
• drill team
• fantasy team
• farm team
• search and rescue team
• tag team
• team building
• team effort
• team foul
• team handball
• team player
• team sport
• team up
• triple-team

Rhymes for team

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• ream
• scheme
• scream
• seam

Kids Definition

team

1 of 2 noun

ˈtēm 

1

: two or more animals used to pull the same vehicle or piece of machinery

also : these animals with their harness and attached vehicle

2

: a number of persons associated together in work or activity

team

2 of 2 verb

1

: to join in a team

2

: to haul with or drive a team

3

: to form a team