organization
Americannoun
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the act or process of organizing.
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the state or manner of being organized.
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something that is organized.
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organic structure; composition.
The organization of this painting is quite remarkable.
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a group of persons organized for some end or work; association.
a nonprofit organization.
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the administrative personnel or apparatus of a business.
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the functionaries of a political party along with the offices, committees, etc., that they fill.
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an organism.
adjective
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of or relating to an organization.
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Informal. conforming entirely to the standards, rules, or demands of an organization, especially that of one's employer.
an organization mentality.
noun
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the act of organizing or the state of being organized
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an organized structure or whole
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a business or administrative concern united and constructed for a particular end
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a body of administrative officials, as of a political party, a government department, etc
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order or system; method
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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antiorganizationnoun
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misorganizationnoun
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nonorganizationnoun
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preorganizationnoun
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suborganizationnoun
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superorganizationnoun
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underorganizationnoun
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organizationaladjective
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organizationallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of organization
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English organizacion, from Medieval Latin organizātiōn-, stem of organizātiō, equivalent to organizāt(us) “arranged” (past participle of organizāre “to contrive, arrange”; see organize) + -iō -ion
Explanation
An organization is a group of people who work together, like a neighborhood association, a charity, a union, or a corporation. You can use the word organization to refer to group or business, or to the act of forming or establishing something. It can also refer to a structure for classifying things or to a system of arrangement or order. When your English teacher tells you you need to work on the organization of your essay, she's using this last meaning. This word derives from an Old French verb meaning "to combine into an orderly whole."
Vocabulary lists containing organization
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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List 1
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Keystone Exams: English Composition Glossary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“Reinstating standardized admissions tests is not a solution,” said Pamela Burdman, executive director of Just Equations, a California organization focused on math and equity in education.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
“We are simplifying the organization, strengthening leadership, enforcing accountability and aligning our structure with the priorities that matter most: customers, quality, and innovation,” Napoli said in a statement.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
Topp says his organization is adding a mental-health component to its national officiating summit this year for the first time, something he acknowledges is overdue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something, an organization that recruits young progressives to run for office, agreed.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
The scale of their constructions and their agriculture infrastructure required sophisticated civic and social organization.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
In several districts across the country, organizations reported they were relying less on the federal government amid changes to rules and funding levels.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
“Persistent uncertainty continued to be a drag on low- and moderate-income consumers and the organizations that serve them,” the Chicago Fed said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
River Arts, one of the organizations bringing attention to its history and cultural significance through public programming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
News organizations devote way less space to mergers, acquisitions or spinoffs involving toilet paper, paint or breakfast cereal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Some became Public Allies staff themselves; some are now even leaders in government agencies and inside national nonprofit organizations.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
