Corporate

/ˈkɔːrpərət/

adjectiveIntermediate🔥Very CommonBusiness
2 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Relating to or belonging to a corporation, especially a large company or group.

/ˈkɔːrpərət/

adjectiveneutralIntermediate
Business

Relating to a corporation or business

She has a corporate job in the city.

💡 Simply: Like a big business! If something is 'corporate', it's about what a big company does, how it works, or what it's all about. Like, the corporate office is where the big bosses work.

👶 For kids: About a big company!

More Examples

2

The corporate ladder can be difficult to climb.

3

The company faced a corporate scandal.

4

The merger had significant corporate implications.

How It's Used

Business

"The company's corporate headquarters is located in New York."

Law

"Corporate law governs the formation and operation of businesses."

Finance

"Corporate profits have increased this quarter."

2

(Archaic) Formed or united into one body or group.

/ˈkɔːrpərət/

adjectiveneutralAdvanced
Historical

Formed into a body; united

The corporate will of the people resulted in a revolution.

💡 Simply: Think of everyone working together as one big team. It's like when everyone joins hands and is unified.

👶 For kids: Working together as a group!

More Examples

2

The corporate union fought for better working conditions.

How It's Used

Historical

"The corporate body of citizens was responsible for the city's governance."

Tip:Imagine a group of people acting as one 'body' or a single entity, demonstrating a corporate nature.

Idioms & expressions

corporate culture

The values, beliefs, and practices of a company or organization.

"The company is trying to change its corporate culture to be more innovative."

corporate social responsibility (CSR)

A company's commitment to operating in an ethical and sustainable way, contributing to the well-being of society and the environment.

"Many companies are now investing in corporate social responsibility programs."

corporate governance

The system of rules, practices, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled.

"Strong corporate governance is essential for attracting investors."

From Medieval Latin *corporatus*, past participle of *corporare* (“to make into a body”), from *corpus* (“body”).

Used since the early 17th century to refer to companies or bodies of people acting as a single entity.

Memory tip

Think of a CO-OPERATE-ive effort, often large, that makes up a business. Corporate often describes activities or things related to those businesses.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"body"

corporate culturecorporate governancecorporate headquarterscorporate responsibilitycorporate strategy

Common misspellings

corperatecorparetcorprate

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written