team

noun \ ˈtēm \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

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

See team defined for English-language learners

See team defined for kids

Examples of team in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of team from the Web

Over the weekend, Kensington Palace gave the world an inside look at the kitchens of Windsor Castle, as a team of chefs prepare for the upcoming wedding.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Inside the Trendy Royal Wedding Menu," 14 May 2018
This will include multiple teams of firefighter paramedics and EMTs who will have mobility throughout the course with the use of carts and ATVs, Debruyckere said.

— angel mendoza, azcentral, "After 5-year hiatus, Scottsdale's extreme Beat the Heat Race returns in June," 14 May 2018
Only in the most extreme, complicated litigation would a team of private lawyers hired by the attorney general ever approach being paid that much.

— lawrence mower, miamiherald, "Pam Bondi’s opioid lawsuit? Some of Florida’s top lawyers won’t touch it | Miami Herald," 14 May 2018
The new finding was made after the team of paleontologists analyzed the bones, which had been kept at a museum in Budapest.

— chris ciaccia, Fox News, "180 million-year-old crocodile had dolphin-like features, tells tale of 'missing link'," 14 May 2018
This is part of a week of marquee games between the top three teams of the Woodland East.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee-area softball rankings, player and team of the week," 14 May 2018
The flaws, some of which have existed for more than a decade, are part of a series of vulnerabilities dubbed Efail described by a team of European researchers.

— dan goodin, Ars Technica, "Decade-old Efail attack can decrypt previously obtained encrypted emails," 14 May 2018
The company said teams of internal and external experts will conduct interviews and lead on-site inspections of certain apps during its ongoing audit.

— Philly.com, "Facebook suspends 200 apps following Cambridge Analytica scandal," 14 May 2018
Hinsdale Central’s doubles team of Angela Han and Lana Millman won two matches at state.

— rich mayor, chicagotribune.com, "Badminton notes: West Suburban powers show their strength at state," 14 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of team

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 ¹tow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

team Synonyms

Synonyms

army, band, brigade, company, crew, gang, outfit, party, platoon, squad;

Related Words

battalion, corps, troop;

force, host, posse, stable, troupe;

help, personnel, staff;

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

team

adjective

: of or performed by a team

a team effort

; also : marked by devotion to teamwork rather than individual achievement

a team player

Recent Examples of team from the Web

Fallbrook High School hosted all of those meets and also won the boys team league championship with Ramona taking third place.

— joe naiman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Webster, 200 freestyle relay team win Valley League swim titles," 6 May 2018
Hallandale coach John Battle discusses the Chargers' boys and girls team track district titles at the District 15-2A finals on Thursday night.

— david furones, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Anthony Schwartz, Shaun Shivers and Tyson Campbell post blazing times at districts," 13 Apr. 2018
The museum’s collections and exhibitions team speed-created a special mannequin designed to mirror Newton’s measurements and show off his designer threads.

— cristina bolling, charlotteobserver, "Mint’s fashion exhibition gets Cam Newton-sized coup - but with one sizeable challenge...," 3 Oct. 2017
The Rent College Pads team plastered Marquette's campus with posters and signs advertising the site.

— sarah hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The idea earned a ‘D.’ Now Rent College Pads will help students find housing in 100 markets.," 28 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of team

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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team

verb

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

See team defined for English-language learners

Examples of team in a Sentence

a show that teams two of television's funniest comedians

Recent Examples of team from the Web

Lord & Taylor is teaming up with Walmart to create an online store on Walmart.com that will offer about 125 fashion brands, including Tommy Bahama, La La Anthony, H Halston and Effy.

— michael corkery, New York Times, "Walmart Goes Upscale, Offering Lord & Taylor Brands," 16 May 2018
Several of their former teammates with the Cowboys and Buckeyes are teaming up together on Thursday to honor them and carrying on their legacies with a dinner and silent auction.

— clarence e. hill jr., star-telegram, "Former Cowboys and Buckeyes raising money for Terry Glenn and Ron Springs foundations | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 May 2018
Two of Philadelphia’s most famous sons are teaming up together for a future project.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "Kevin Hart to star in 'Uptown Saturday Night' reboot produced by Will Smith," 15 May 2018
Images: Arch Foundation To get started on such an ambitious task, the Arch Foundation is teaming up with a space startup called Astrobotic, a company that wants to become the first delivery service for the Moon.

— loren grush, The Verge, "The Arch Foundation’s first step toward building a Lunar Library," 15 May 2018
Netflix and ESPN Films are teaming up to produce a documentary series about Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, ESPN and Netflix announced Tuesday.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "10-Hour Michael Jordan Documentary Coming In 2019," 15 May 2018
ESPN Films and Netflix are teaming up for a long-form doc about Michael Jordan, with the basketball icon's full participation.

— michael o'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, "ESPN and Netflix Partner on Michael Jordan Doc Series 'The Last Dance'," 15 May 2018
Microsoft is also teaming up with Steelcase on rolling stands and mounts to make Surface Hub 2 somewhat portable.

— edward c. baig, USA TODAY, "Microsoft unveils Surface Hub 2 digital whiteboard to inspire office teamwork," 15 May 2018
Our universities, private research institutions and world-class medical facilities are teaming up to use molecular and genomic data to discover the mechanisms of disease – leading to new ways to diagnose patients and tailor individual treatments.

— sandra watson, president & ceo, azcentral, "Next-Gen tech trends: The future of Arizona," 14 May 2018

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").

First Known Use of team

1552

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TEAM Defined for English Language Learners

team

noun

: a group of people who compete in a sport, game, etc., against another group
: a group of people who work together
: a group of two or more animals used to pull a wagon, cart, etc.

team

verb

: to bring together (two people or things)

TEAM Defined for Kids

team

noun \ ˈtēm \

1 : a group of persons who work or play together

a team of scientists

a football team

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

team

verb

teamed; teaming

: to form a team

They teamed up to get the job done.

Learn More about team

See words that rhyme with team Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for team Spanish Central: Translation of team Nglish: Translation of team for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of team for Arabic speakers

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team

Examples of team in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of team

team Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

team

Recent Examples of team from the Web

First Known Use of team

team

Examples of team in a Sentence

Recent Examples of team from the Web

What is the difference between the verbs teem and team?

First Known Use of team

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Related Phrases

TEAM Defined for English Language Learners

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TEAM Defined for Kids

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team

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