corporate

adjective

cor·​po·​rate ˈkȯr-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce corporate (audio)
1
a
: formed into an association and endowed by law with the rights and liabilities of an individual : incorporated
b
: of or relating to a corporation
a plan to reorganize the corporate structure
c
: of, relating to, or being the large corporations of a country or region considered as a unit
the latest trend in corporate America
d
: having qualities (such as commercialism or lack of originality) associated with large corporations or attributed to their influence or control
corporate rock music
corporate art
2
: of, relating to, or formed into a unified body of individuals
Human law arises by the corporate action of a people …George H. Sabine
3
corporately adverb

Examples of corporate in a Sentence

We have to change the corporate structure to survive. A bunch of corporate types in suits were sitting at the table in the conference room. He is one of the most powerful men in corporate America. The business is a corporate entity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hurdles at these valuation levels are higher, but optimism about future corporate earnings has improved as economic downside risks have receded. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 For some observers, the corporate sponsorships on display throughout the evening struck a specific chord. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025 Was the project doomed by the economic realities of globalization, the competitive landscape in the smartphone business, or were Google’s shifting corporate priorities ultimately to blame? Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025 Jesse, family man, civic organizer, corporate negotiator, contract hawk, and school advocate has left a role model legacy of joyful courage and positive leadership for the kids. Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for corporate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin corporātus, past participle of corporāre "to form into a body, form (an organized social group)," verbal derivative of corpor-, corpus "body, organized group of people" — more at midriff

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of corporate was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Corporate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corporate. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

corporate

adjective
cor·​po·​rate ˈkȯr-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce corporate (audio)
1
a
: formed into a corporation
b
: of, relating to, or being a corporation
take corporate action
2
: of, relating to, or being a whole composed of individuals
united together and took corporate action
corporately adverb

Legal Definition

corporate

1 of 2 adjective
cor·​po·​rate ˈkȯr-pə-rət How to pronounce corporate (audio)
: of or relating to a business corporation

corporate

2 of 2 noun
: a bond issued by a business corporation

More from Merriam-Webster on corporate

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