ENGLISH
REFERENCE

takeover

n.
US //ˈteɪˌkoʊvɝ// UK //tˈeɪkəʊvɐ// takeover
  1. 1 business acquisition (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    the act of one company buying another company to take control of it.

    the acquisition of a company by another through the purchase of a controlling interest in its share capital.

    Example

    The small tech startup was saved from bankruptcy by a friendly takeover.

    Example

    The board of directors spent weeks fighting off a hostile takeover bid from their largest competitor.

    Usage

    Often used with the adjectives 'hostile' or 'friendly' to describe the nature of the purchase.
    Pitfall
    The company was takeover by a rival.
    The company was taken over by a rival.

    Use the noun 'takeover' for the event, but use the phrasal verb 'take over' for the action.

  2. 2 gaining control (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a situation where one person or group takes control of something from another.

    the act of seizing or assuming control of a facility, organisation, or political entity.

    Example

    The military takeover of the government led to months of protests.

    Example

    Following the sudden retirement of the founder, the internal takeover by the junior partners proceeded more smoothly than many had anticipated.
Origin

Deverbal from take over.

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