Word
takeover
US/ˈteɪˌkoʊvɝ/
UK/tˈeɪkəʊvɐ/
Definitions
01business acquisition
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law
n. the act of one company buying another company to take control of it.
n. the acquisition of a company by another through the purchase of a controlling interest in its share capital.
“The small tech startup was saved from bankruptcy by a friendly takeover.”
“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.
Synonyms
02gaining control
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a situation where one person or group takes control of something from another.
n. the act of seizing or assuming control of a facility, organisation, or political entity.
“The military takeover of the government led to months of protests.”
“Following the sudden retirement of the founder, the internal takeover by the junior partners proceeded more smoothly than many had anticipated.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Now more than two years since taking over at Life Support Systems, and 30-years-old, Aliev has led the takeover of a competitor, which she says has doubled the size of the business.” “When an attacker gets into a customer account, the takeover can be over in minutes.” Etymology
Deverbal from take over.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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