corporation

[kawr-puh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. an association of individuals, created by law or under authority of law, having a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members.

2. Corporation, the group of principal officials of a borough or other municipal division in England.

3. any group of persons united or regarded as united in one body.

4. Informal.,  a paunch; potbelly.

corporation

/ ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. a group of people authorized by law to act as a legal personality and having its own powers, duties, and liabilities

2. Also called: municipal corporation. the municipal authorities of a city or town

3. a group of people acting as one body

4. See public corporation

5. informal,  a large paunch or belly

corporation

1. A business organization owned by a group of stockholders, each of whom enjoys limited liability (that is, each can be held responsible for losses only up to the limit of his or her investment). A corporation has the ability to raise capital by selling stock to the public.

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• corporational adjective
• multicorporation noun
• noncorporation noun
• subcorporation noun
• supercorporation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of corporation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin corporātiōn- (stem of corporātiō ) “guild,” Latin: “physical makeup, build”; corporate, -ion

Example Sentences

If she’s elected to Congress, Gonzales-Torres said her first priority would be to go after corporations that are “raising prices for everyday people” and their lobbyists who distort the political process in Washington.

From Salon

In Our Time is one of BBC Sounds' most popular podcasts among listeners aged under 35, the corporation said.

From BBC

On Tuesday, Russian and Chinese gas corporations agreed to raise supplies to the Asian nation.

From BBC

The 86-year-old iconoclast is now sought after by corporations as a consultant.

From Los Angeles Times

In a world run by corporations, one expects any “news” coverage to reflect a spin that benefits them.

From Salon

Related Words

• business 
• company 
• enterprise