What does "team" mean?

1. (group of people) a group of people who work together to do a job or play a sport. 2. (group of animals) two or more animals, like horses or oxen, that pull a vehicle together. 3. (side of a debate) a group of people who support one side of an argument or a famous person. 4. (to join together) to join with another person or group to do something together. 5. (to match or harmonize) to put two things together because they look good or work well together.

How do you use "team"?

Often takes a singular verb in American English and a plural verb in British English.

team

n. · v.

US //ˈtim// UK //tˈiːm// team

1 group of people (n.)
A1 Beginner General-service

a group of people who work together to do a job or play a sport.

a group of individuals associated in some joint action, especially in a competitive sport or a professional project.

Example

Our sales team met this morning to discuss the new project goals.

Example

The research team collaborated across three different continents to ensure the clinical trials met international safety standards.

Usage

Often takes a singular verb in American English and a plural verb in British English.
- individual
2 group of animals (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

two or more animals, like horses or oxen, that pull a vehicle together.

two or more draft animals harnessed together to pull a vehicle or agricultural implement.

Example

The farmer used a team of horses to pull the heavy wagon.

Example

A team of oxen was traditionally employed to clear the rocky soil before the introduction of mechanical tractors.
- pair
- yoke

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3 side of a debate (n.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

a group of people who support one side of an argument or a famous person.

a collective of supporters or advocates for one side of a binary social or cultural debate.

Example

In the debate about the movie's ending, I am definitely on Team Sarah.

Example

Social media users quickly divided into Team Apple and Team Android, sparking a heated discussion about hardware longevity.
4 to join together (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to join with another person or group to do something together.

to form a group or partnership for a specific purpose; frequently used with 'up'.

Example

I decided to team up with my classmate for the science project.

Example

The local charity teamed up with several corporate sponsors to fund the construction of the new community centre.
- separate
- disband
5 to match or harmonize (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to put two things together because they look good or work well together.

to coordinate or match items, typically clothing or accessories, for aesthetic harmony.

Example

You can team this blue jacket with a pair of grey trousers.

Example

The stylist suggested teaming the vintage silk scarf with a modern blazer to create a sophisticated contrast.
- clash

Origin

From Middle English tem, teem, teme, from Old English tēam (“child-bearing, offspring, brood, set of draught animals”), from Proto-West Germanic taum, from Proto-Germanic taumaz (“that which draws or pulls”), from Proto-Germanic taugijaną, tugōną, teuhōną, teuhaną (“to lead, bring, pull, draw”), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull, lead”). Cognate with Scots team, teem (“a chain, harness”), Saterland Frisian Toom (“bridle; breeding”), West Frisian team (“bridle, team”), Dutch toom (“bridle, reins, flock of birds”), German Low German Toom (“bridle”), German Zaum (“bridle”), Norwegian tømme (“bridle, rein”), Swedish töm (“leash, rein”). More at teem, tie, tow.

Word family

Nounteam
Nounteammate
Nounteamwork

Idioms4 entries