organization

1 of 2

noun

or·​ga·​ni·​za·​tion ˌȯr-gə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce organization (audio)
ˌȯrg-nə-
1
a
: the act or process of organizing or of being organized
the organization of his material into a speech
b
: the condition or manner of being organized
a group with a high degree of organization
2
a
: association, society
charitable organizations
b
: an administrative and functional structure (such as a business or a political party)
The new president plans to make changes to the company's organization.
also : the personnel of such a structure
The organization will vote on the proposed changes.

organization

2 of 2

adjective

: characterized by complete conformity to the standards and requirements of an organization
an organization man

Examples of organization in a Sentence

Noun She is the leader of an international organization devoted to the protection of natural resources. He has been working on the organization of his notes into an outline. She is responsible for the organization of the party. The new president plans to make changes to the company's organization.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The university’s 13 multicultural Greek organizations and five historically Black fraternities and sororities were not included in the order. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Other aid organizations that have been key to aid distribution in Gaza have not been involved in the process, including the Palestinian Red Crescent and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 The changes Yamamoto implemented were opposed by virtually everyone in the Buffaloes’ organization, from the front office to the coaching staff. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The war and the continuation of the war is the responsibility of Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization, which continues to hold and abuse the hostages, and which doesn’t use its tunnels to protect the innocent civilians of Gaza, but uses it to hide themselves and allow Palestinians to die. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Since the war began, Russia has collected about $450 billion from exports of crude oil and refined oil products, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, an independent research organization in Finland. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The donors have not been released, and the organization, which has been tax-exempt just since January, has not yet filed documentation with the IRS that shows all of the people involved. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Zoya Teirstein / Grist, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Garner's special story-time sessions are part of her work for the nonprofit organization Save the Children. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Create cross-organization alignment. Hubert Palan, Forbes, 28 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'organization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1949, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near organization

Cite this Entry

“Organization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organization. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

organization

1 of 2 noun
or·​ga·​ni·​za·​tion ˌȯrg-(ə-)nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce organization (audio)
1
: the act or process of organizing
2
: the condition or manner of being organized
a high degree of organization
3
a
: a group of persons organized for some purpose
a business organization
b
: an administrative and functional unit (as a business or a political party)
also : the personnel of such a unit
organizational
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

organization

2 of 2 adjective
: behaving and thinking in a way that an organization would approve of

Medical Definition

organization

noun
or·​ga·​ni·​za·​tion
variants also British organisation
1
a
: the act or process of organizing or of being organized
b
: the condition of being organized
2
: the formation of fibrous tissue from a clot or exudate by invasion of connective tissue cells and capillaries from adjoining tissues accompanied by phagocytosis of superfluous material and multiplication of connective tissue cells

Legal Definition

organization

noun
or·​ga·​ni·​za·​tion
: a body (as a corporation or union) that has a membership acting or united for a common purpose
organizational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on organization

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