team
noun (countable)
UK/tiːm/US/tiːm/
A group of people working together towards a common goal.
Example Sentences
The football team practiced every afternoon to prepare for the upcoming championship.
She joined a research team at the university to work on the new project.
They formed a team to tackle the complex problem, combining their diverse skills and expertise.
The marketing team developed a comprehensive campaign to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
Our team consists of dedicated professionals committed to delivering high-quality results.
During the company retreat, the teams engaged in team-building activities to strengthen their collaboration.
The project team met weekly to discuss progress and address any challenges.
In order to succeed, the team needed to communicate effectively and support each other throughout the process.
Thesaurus
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verb (transitive)
UK/tiːm/US/tiːm/
To join together as a team or to work jointly with others.
Example Sentences
They decided to team up for the science fair, combining their talents to create an innovative project.
The two companies will team together to develop a new product that meets consumer needs.
She teamed with her colleagues to organize the annual charity event, ensuring its success.
In order to win the competition, the participants had to team effectively and strategize their approach.
The researchers teamed with local communities to conduct extensive field studies.
He teamed up with a fellow artist to create a collaborative exhibition that showcased their combined creativity.
During the challenging times, the neighbors teamed to support each other and maintain a strong community spirit.
The developers teamed to enhance the software's features, resulting in a more user-friendly application.
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How to Use
A group collaborating toward a common objective or outcome.A team brings individuals together to accomplish goals that may be unachievable when working alone. Team members can pool diverse skills—such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership—to create a synergy that often enhances results. At the start, clarifying roles and responsibilities ensures that everyone understands their part, preventing overlaps or confusion. Tools such as project management platforms or shared calendars streamline tasks and deadlines, encouraging transparency.Communication lies at the core of effective teamwork. Holding regular check-ins, whether through quick in-person meetings or virtual calls, keeps everyone aligned on progress and potential obstacles. By encouraging an atmosphere where members feel safe sharing ideas, you foster creativity and openness to feedback. Strong listening skills are essential: when people feel heard, they’re more apt to commit to group decisions.It’s also vital to set clear, measurable objectives—this prevents ambiguity and allows the group to track milestones. Defining success criteria from the outset helps everyone recognize when they’ve reached key benchmarks. If conflicts arise, addressing them quickly and respectfully can prevent bigger issues down the line. Encouraging a culture of mutual support, celebrating small wins, and providing constructive criticism collectively keep motivation high.Even when working under tight deadlines, a supportive environment reinforces trust. People learn to rely on each other’s strengths, covering one another’s gaps. Over time, you build a collective identity: successes and failures are experienced as shared events, further solidifying commitment. Ultimately, a well-structured, communicative, and respectful approach to collaboration often multiplies what the team can achieve, helping members grow both professionally and personally, all while delivering meaningful outcomes.
Alternatives
Different words and phrases can substitute for or complement this concept, each adding a unique angle. “Group” generally describes any collection of people, though it lacks a specific focus on shared objectives. “Crew” implies a team that works closely together, often in hands-on or technical tasks, such as stage crews or film crews. “Squad” carries a more dynamic or even athletic vibe, hinting at a unit facing challenges, be they sports competitions or strategic missions.“Unit” leans a bit more formal, sometimes referencing military or specialized organizational divisions where cohesive functioning is critical. “Workforce” describes employees at large, though it doesn’t always capture the sense of unified pursuit toward a single goal. “Task force” is laser-focused on tackling a specific mission or issue, suggesting a temporary or specialized collective. “Partnership” highlights the collaboration aspect between two or more entities, though it often implies equal footing. If you seek a term that underscores the spirit of harmony and joint effort, “collaborative group” works well, emphasizing mutual input and decision-making. “Alliance” tends to evoke a formal agreement among separate parties who choose to unite for a particular cause or benefit. By selecting a term that aligns with the scope, style, and objectives of your collective, you can more accurately reflect the nature of that shared endeavor.
Writing
When writing about this concept, clarify the team’s purpose at the outset. Whether your focus is on a small classroom group project or a multinational committee, establishing why the team exists underscores its relevance to readers. Lay out the objectives so your audience recognizes the stakes and potential benefits.Next, detail the composition of the team—how are individuals selected? What strengths or backgrounds do they bring to the table? Explaining the varied expertise or perspectives of members shows readers how the group’s diversity fuels creativity or problem-solving prowess. If you’re describing an ongoing or historical effort, outlining specific milestones or turning points can illustrate how the members overcame challenges and built trust.Additionally, consider dedicating a portion of your text to internal dynamics and communication styles. Highlight how certain leaders or facilitators emerge, how feedback loops are established, and how success is measured. Conclude by reinforcing the synergy of collective achievements, showing that by aligning personal aims with a wider mission, people often reach goals that surpass solitary endeavors. This structure—purpose, composition, process, and outcomes—helps create a clear, compelling narrative around the concept of teamwork.
Casual Conversation
In everyday life, you might see teams forming just about anywhere—your local sports club, a school group project, or even housemates splitting chores. The essence is the same: people pooling energy and ideas to hit shared targets, whether that’s winning a championship, acing an assignment, or keeping the home tidy.It helps to remember that no single member can do everything. Even when it’s as simple as planning a weekend barbecue, tasks get divided: one person handles the grill, another buys groceries, someone else arranges music and decorations. Communication keeps things smooth—checking in via group chats or quick in-person updates prevents overlap or forgotten details.Conflicts can pop up—maybe your friend didn’t show up with the drinks on time, or someone else overlooked vegetarian options. Sorting these issues early, with a friendly conversation or a quick poll to gather preferences, stops bigger headaches later. The upside is how quickly a supportive group atmosphere can blossom. Even mundane tasks feel lighter with multiple sets of hands pitching in, and the sense of a shared win is a mood booster for everyone. No matter the scope, these moments of collaboration remind us that coming together often makes life’s hurdles less daunting and even more fun.
Etymology
The modern English word “team” hails from Old English “team,” which referred to a group of draft animals yoked together for farming or transportation purposes. This aligns with its core meaning of collaboration, suggesting creatures joined in a unified effort. As centuries progressed, it broadened, shifting from literal use—like oxen plowing—to figurative references to groups of people working cooperatively.By the Middle Ages, the concept expanded to organized efforts in guilds, crafts, and early sports. With industrial advancements, “team” gained traction to describe work units in factories or offices. Technological revolutions only accelerated its usage, as modern enterprises embraced cross-functional squads. Meanwhile, sports culture—which developed formal teams with designated uniforms and goals—cemented the term firmly in everyday vocabulary. Today, whether referencing professional workplaces, youth sports, or community volunteers, “team” continues to symbolize synergy, shared responsibility, and collective progression toward a goal.
