English Reference

Word

team

US/ˈtim/

UK/tˈiːm/

Definitions

01group of people

A1 · Beginner Countable noun General-service

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

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

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

“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.

Synonyms

Antonyms

02group of animals

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

“A team of oxen was traditionally employed to clear the rocky soil before the introduction of mechanical tractors.”

Synonyms

03side of a debate

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal

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

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

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

“Social media users quickly divided into Team Apple and Team Android, sparking a heated discussion about hardware longevity.”

Synonyms

04to join together

B1 · Intermediate

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

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

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

“The local charity teamed up with several corporate sponsors to fund the construction of the new community centre.”

Antonyms

05to match or harmonize

B2 · Upper Intermediate

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

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

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

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

Antonyms

Etymology

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.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Related words

Idioms

Grammar

Domain

Law

This entry

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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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English Reference