English Reference
noun · verb

team

n. · v.
US /ˈtim/ UK /tˈiːm/ team UK spelling teams

  1. 01 A1 Beginner 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

    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.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  4. 04 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'.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  5. 05 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

Usage team led · team used · team found


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.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *dewk-
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated