Words / B2

korp-uh-RAYSHUN/ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃn/

A corporation is a large company, or a group treated in law as one body: a multinational corporation, a municipal corporation. Company is everyday and can be small; corporate is the adjective (already in the dictionary). In speech, a large company is enough. Do not use corporation for a family shop, and do not mix it with cooperation (working together) — extra o, different meaning.

Meaning

A large company, or a group legally treated as one body.

Examples

• “The corporation employs thousands of people worldwide.”
• “The corporation moved its headquarters, which took the business rates with it.”
• “A municipal corporation is the city as a legal body, not a private firm.”

Good to know

A large company / a legal body. Everyday: a large company. Adjective: corporate. Mix-up: cooperation (working together). Not a small shop.

Near in meaning

company

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