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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about takeover

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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

The collapse of merger talks between Deutsche Bank AG and Commerzbank AG has opened the door to what the German government was trying to avoid in the first place: a foreign takeover of its banks. — Patricia Kowsmann, WSJ, "Foreign Banks Circle as Deutsche Bank-Commerzbank Deal Collapses," 25 Apr. 2019 That threat, of course, is Fisk (aka Kingpin), who manipulates his own release from prison and sets in motion a meticulous takeover of the city's various crime syndicates. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Wilson Fisk is back and better than ever in season 3 of Daredevil," 12 Nov. 2018 And trade groups are talking to members about what to expect from a Democratic takeover. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "K Street Lobbying Shops Anticipating Democratic House," 6 July 2018 The law aims to save Stoneleigh — and other preserved land like it — from a potential hostile takeover by any school district wielding the power of eminent domain. — Maria Panaritis, Philly.com, "'They almost need therapists': How the fight to save Stoneleigh brought Pa. zombie pols back to life, too | Maria Panaritis," 28 June 2018 Through more than two years of takeover threats and legal strife, Qualcomm Inc. trained its focus on the future promises of 5G. That fixation is paying off so far. — Asa Fitch, WSJ, "Qualcomm’s Bet on 5G Pays Off," 17 Apr. 2019 Tap the #linkinbio to learn more about our online book club and join us on Jan 23rd for a takeover with the authors. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "#ReadWithMC Reviews Christina Lauren's 'My Favorite Half-Night Stand'," 1 Feb. 2019 Comic-Con International’s biggest day Saturday, July 21, is basically a takeover by DC Entertainment. — Phillip Molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Comic Con 2018: Here's your Saturday schedule," 7 July 2018 The Verge spoke to Stoa about what’s fending off a corporate takeover, potential legal regulations that could help the industry remain small, and the environmental impact of farming. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Why the future of marijuana farming could be craft weed," 21 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Wayne Fontes took over, and the next April, the Lions drafted Barry Sanders with the No. — Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, "Darryl Rogers' family: Ex-Detroit Lions, MSU coach died of natural causes," 12 July 2018 In those cases, a control center in Bremen, Germany, took over for as long as three consecutive days. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, "Antarctica Greenhouse Produces Cucumbers, Tomatoes and More in Mars-Like Test," 24 Sep. 2018 Beekman takes over a 25-sport athletic department that had 713 athletes and accounted for $103,920,895 in revenue and $96,008,462 in expenses during the 2016-17 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education data. — David Jesse, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State to name Bill Beekman permanent athletic director on Monday," 13 July 2018 During the 15th century, the Tlahuica people were conquered by the Aztecs, who, in turn, took over construction of the Teopanzolco pyramids. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Earthquake Reveals 12th-Century Temple Hidden Within Aztec Pyramid," 12 July 2018 See article Andrew Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the coal industry, took over as acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency following the resignation of Scott Pruitt. — The Economist, "Politics this week," 12 July 2018 Justin Fuente has rejuvenated the Hokies in his first two seasons after taking over for longtime coach Frank Beamer. — Matthew Glenesk, Indianapolis Star, "Ranking Indiana's top 50 college football games in 2018," 11 July 2018 Just 25 miles away is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which was taken over in 2016 by armed protesters angered by the five-year prison sentences given to the Hammonds after they were convicted of setting fires on federal land. — CBS News, "Oregon ranchers pardoned by Trump arrive home," 11 July 2018 The gray was taking over and proving more and more stubbornly resistant to absorbing color. — Jessica Berger Gross, Longreads, "Gone Gray," 10 July 2018

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

12 May 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