takeover

noun

take·over | \ ˈtāk-ˌō-vər

Definition of takeover

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the action or an act of taking over

take over

verb

took over; taken over; taking over; takes over

Definition of take over (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to assume control or possession of or responsibility for military leaders took over the government

intransitive verb

1 : to assume control or possession

2 : to become dominant

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Examples of takeover in a Sentence

Noun

The government experienced a military takeover in 2002. the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries

Verb

I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break. took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

To preview the new material, tonight will mark the beginning of a three-day music takeover on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Taylor Mims, Billboard, "Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer Announce Global Hella Mega Stadium Tour, Because Rock Is Not Dead," 10 Sep. 2019 In 2013, Schweitzer became the public face of a shareholder takeover of Stillwater that ended with the ouster of its CEO and Schweitzer as the chairman of its board. — Washington Post, "Montana mines buoy firm beset by deaths, strike in S. Africa," 4 Sep. 2019 Which makes the @jack hack potentially just the latest, and most high-profile, in a string of takeovers. — Wired, "How Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's Account (Probably) Was Hacked," 30 Aug. 2019 Their crash Monday reflected investor fears of a takeover by populists who would impose generous but fiscally irresponsible social spending programs. — Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times, "In an embrace of the populist left, Argentina voters rebuke their president," 12 Aug. 2019 Cousin Greg Greg is the only one who seems pleased at the prospect of Kendall's takeover. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Succession Season One Recap: Here's Where We Left the Roy Family," 10 Aug. 2019 In the wake of a blockbuster takeover of Caesars Entertainment by Eldorado Resorts, parent of Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, what are the odds that the Caesars name might some day illuminate Powerline Road? — David Lyons, sun-sentinel.com, "Isle Casino Racing parent agrees to buy Caesars; could local name change be far behind?," 25 June 2019 The first major takeover battle in the energy sector this century was now unfolding in the public view. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "Oxy's pursuit of Anadarko - two years in the making," 7 June 2019 Comcast and Disney have waged a takeover battle for much of 21st Century Fox as their deep-pocketed Silicon Valley rivals steal viewers, ad dollars and big-name creative talents. — New York Times, "A Record $2.5 Trillion in Mergers Were Announced in the First Half of 2018," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Fitzpatrick also will be a candidate to take over as Pittsburgh's nickelback. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Miami Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick," 17 Sep. 2019 Batwoman, about Kate Kane and her quest to take over her cousin Bruce Wayne's cowl and protect Gotham City, is no different. — Wired, "The 11 Best New TV Shows Coming This Fall," 16 Sep. 2019 The Beast Mode running back Harris’ game-breaker at first seemed like a combination of brute strength and rare athleticism taking over. — Nathan Baird, cleveland.com, "Is Ohio State football’s defense ready for Clemson and Alabama? Buckeye Rewatch," 16 Sep. 2019 After his father, Music Land founder Joe Noto, passed away in 2015 Larry Noto left his career in marketing to take over the Bel Air music store and keep his father’s legacy alive. — Christine Condon, baltimoresun.com, "After passing from father to son, Bel Air’s iconic Music Land has reached new heights," 16 Sep. 2019 Middleton seemed tentative and never picked his moment to take over a game. — BostonGlobe.com, "What went wrong with Team USA at World Cup? - The Boston Globe," 15 Sep. 2019 Up first: how to handle the pitfalls, and next: how to make sure there's a plan for the other person to take over if needed. — NBC News, "How to avoid problems when one spouse handles all the money," 14 Sep. 2019 Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio missed a chance to take over sole possession of first place on the school's career victories list. — oregonlive, "Arizona State edges No. 18 Michigan State in wild finish," 14 Sep. 2019 The Bears held the Mean Green without a first down, taking over at the UNT 30 with 1:30 left and running out the clock. — Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, "Cal defense paves the way in 23-17 win over North Texas," 14 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'takeover.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near takeover

take out a patent on

takeout double

take out insurance on

Statistics for takeover

Last Updated

13 Oct 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for takeover

The first known use of takeover was in 1618

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More Definitions for takeover

takeover

noun

Financial Definition of takeover

What It Is

A takeover is the purchase of a company. A takeover is different from a merger, which occurs when the purchaser and the target both cease to exist and instead form a new, combined company.

How It Works

Let's assume Company XYZ wants to acquire Company ABC. Company XYZ might just start buying ABC shares on the open market, but once Company XYZ acquires 5% of ABC, it must formally (and publicly) declare how many shares it owns to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Company XYZ must also state whether it intends to create an ABC takeover or just hold its existing shares as an investment.

If Company XYZ indeed wants to proceed with the takeover, it will make a tender offer to ABC's board of directors (followed by an announcement to the press). The tender offer will indicate, among other things, how much Company XYZ is willing to pay for ABC and how long ABC shareholders have to accept the offer.

The most common methods of determining the target's value are to look at comparable companies in the industry and to conduct a discounted cash flow analysis, but evaluating other measures such as P/E ratios, price-to-sales ratios, or even replacement costs provides valuable insight. Acquirers often have to pay a premium above the market price of the target company's shares in order to get the shareholders to agree to the takeover.

Once the tender offer is made, ABC can accept the terms of the offer, negotiate a different price, use a "poison pill" or other defense to avert the deal, or find somebody else to sell to who will pay as much or more as XYZ is offering. If ABC accepts the offer, regulatory bodies then review the transaction to ensure the combination does not create a monopoly or other anticompetitive circumstances within the industries involved. If the regulatory bodies approve the transaction, the parties exchange funds and the deal is closed.

Companies often conduct takeovers with cash, but they also use debt and their own stock as well, and there are often tax consequences associated with each form of currency.

Why It Matters

Takeovers can create a bigger, more competitive, more cost-efficient entities. This synergy -- that is, the idea that the two companies together are more valuable to the shareholders than they are apart -- is elusive, but it is what justifies most takeovers. After all, acquirers always have the much harder option of trying to "grow their own" by starting their own competitive ventures instead of buying someone else's. Targets often succumb to takeovers because at the end of the day, the price is right. And on both sides, a well-executed takeover can be the crowning jewel of a CEO's career.

Source: Investing Answers

takeover

noun