corporate

adjective

cor·​po·​rate ˈkȯr-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce corporate (audio)
1
a
: formed into an association and endowed by law with the rights and liabilities of an individual : incorporated
b
: of or relating to a corporation
a plan to reorganize the corporate structure
c
: of, relating to, or being the large corporations of a country or region considered as a unit
the latest trend in corporate America
d
: having qualities (such as commercialism or lack of originality) associated with large corporations or attributed to their influence or control
corporate rock music
corporate art
2
: of, relating to, or formed into a unified body of individuals
Human law arises by the corporate action of a people …George H. Sabine
3
corporately adverb

Examples of corporate in a Sentence

We have to change the corporate structure to survive. A bunch of corporate types in suits were sitting at the table in the conference room. He is one of the most powerful men in corporate America. The business is a corporate entity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On-going price increases have prompted organizations like The People’s Union USA to push back on corporate America. Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 Among other notable corporate cuts, Citigroup and Sears, Roebuck & Co. each slashed about 50,000 jobs, in 2008 and 1993, respectively. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025 Kutler is tasked with steering MSNBC amid a corporate spinoff from cable giant Comcast. Auzinea Bacon, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025 Small businesses are closing, and corporate headquarters are leaving. Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corporate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin corporātus, past participle of corporāre "to form into a body, form (an organized social group)," verbal derivative of corpor-, corpus "body, organized group of people" — more at midriff

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of corporate was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Corporate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corporate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

corporate

adjective
cor·​po·​rate ˈkȯr-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce corporate (audio)
1
a
: formed into a corporation
b
: of, relating to, or being a corporation
take corporate action
2
: of, relating to, or being a whole composed of individuals
united together and took corporate action
corporately adverb

Legal Definition

corporate

1 of 2 adjective
cor·​po·​rate ˈkȯr-pə-rət How to pronounce corporate (audio)
: of or relating to a business corporation

corporate

2 of 2 noun
: a bond issued by a business corporation

More from Merriam-Webster on corporate

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