Team Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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team

[tiหm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sports

A group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport.

Synonyms

crew, group, squad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
team

Same as the first 'team', implying collaborative effort towards a shared objective in professional, academic, or sports environments.

  • The development team is working on a new software update.
  • Our soccer team practices twice a week.
squad

Commonly used in a casual or military setting to refer to a small, organized team, often for specific tasks. It can also have a slightly informal or trendy feel.

  • The squad trained together every weekend.
  • She always hangs out with her squad after school.
group

A general term that can refer to any assembly of people, regardless of their purpose or relationship. It is broad and neutral, suitable for most contexts.

  • A group of friends went to the movies.
  • There is a group meeting in the conference room.
crew

Often used in the context of people who work together on a vehicle, like a ship, aircraft, or in media production. It implies a structured and often specialized group.

  • The flight crew ensured all passengers were safe.
  • The film crew set up the cameras for the next scene.

Examples of usage

  • The basketball team is playing in the championship game tonight.
  • She has been a loyal supporter of the team for many years.
Context #2 | Noun

workplace

A group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete a task, job, or project.

Synonyms

colleagues, staff, workforce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
team

Used when referring to a group of people working together towards a common goal, often in sports or professional settings. It emphasizes collaboration and collective effort.

  • Our team won the championship this year.
  • The marketing team is working on the new campaign.
staff

Used to describe the group of people employed by an organization, particularly in contexts where the focus is on employment status rather than the specific nature of the work.

  • The hospital staff is very efficient.
  • We need to hire more staff to handle the workload.
workforce

Refers to the entire group of people engaged in work within a company, industry, or country. It is often used when discussing employment statistics, labor markets, or large-scale employment issues.

  • The company plans to increase its workforce by 20% next year.
  • The aging workforce is a challenge for many industries.
colleagues

Refers to people you work with, typically in a professional setting. It highlights the professional relationship without implying close collaboration.

  • I enjoy having lunch with my colleagues.
  • My colleagues and I attended a conference last week.

Examples of usage

  • Our marketing team worked hard to launch the new product.
  • She is an essential member of the sales team.
Context #3 | Verb

collaboration

Come together as a team to achieve a common goal.

Synonyms

collaborate, cooperate, unite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
team

Used when referring to a group of people working together towards a common goal. Common in sports, work projects, and group activities.

  • The team worked hard to finish the project on time
  • The soccer team celebrated their victory with a big party
collaborate

Refers to working together with others, especially on a creative or intellectual project. Often used in a professional or academic context.

  • Scientists from different countries collaborated on the research project
  • We need to collaborate with the marketing department on this campaign
unite

Used when bringing people together, often for a cause or to create a stronger collective effort. Can provide a sense of solidarity or emotional appeal.

  • The community united to support the local charity
  • They decided to unite their efforts to make a bigger impact
cooperate

Describes working together willingly and helpfully, usually in a more general or everyday sense. Often implies mutual assistance.

  • The neighbors cooperated to clean up the park
  • If we all cooperate, we can finish this task quickly

Examples of usage

  • We need to team up to solve this problem.
  • The two companies teamed together to create a successful partnership.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Studies show that teamwork can boost motivation and performance due to shared accountability.
  • Collaborative efforts can enhance problem-solving, as diverse perspectives often lead to creative solutions.
  • The social interactions within teams can foster a sense of belonging and reduce stress among members.

Pop Culture

  • In sports, teams are celebrated for their unity and spirit, epitomized in phrases like 'there's no 'I' in team.'
  • Films and books often highlight the importance of teamwork, like in movies such as 'Remember the Titans' or 'The Mighty Ducks.'
  • Popular shows such as 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation' explore both the comedy and challenges of working as a team.

Education

  • Team-based learning in classrooms encourages collaboration, where students learn not just from teachers but from each other.
  • Group projects help students develop crucial skills such as communication, leadership, and conflict resolution.
  • Peer-based team activities can improve retention of knowledge through active engagement and discussion.

History

  • In ancient times, teams were formed for collective hunting or building tasks, emphasizing cooperation for survival.
  • The rise of military units highlights the historical significance of teams in achieving strategic goals.
  • Throughout history, teams have played pivotal roles in social movements, as seen in various labor unions and advocacy groups.

Origin of 'team'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'team' comes from the Old English 'team,' meaning a group of animals that pull together, like horses.
  • In Middle English, 'team' also referred to a set of individuals working together, which has evolved into its modern meaning.
  • Related terms, like 'tame,' suggest control and collaboration, emphasizing the bond present in teamwork.

The word 'team' originated from the Old English word 'tฤ“am', which referred to a group of draft animals used for work. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent a group of people working together towards a common goal. The concept of teamwork has been valued in various aspects of society, from sports to business, highlighting the importance of collaboration and collective effort.


See also: teammate, teamwork, teem.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,480, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.