organization
Americannoun
-
the act or process of organizing.
-
the state or manner of being organized.
-
something that is organized.
-
organic structure; composition.
The organization of this painting is quite remarkable.
-
a group of persons organized for some end or work; association.
a nonprofit organization.
-
the administrative personnel or apparatus of a business.
-
the functionaries of a political party along with the offices, committees, etc., that they fill.
-
an organism.
adjective
-
of or relating to an organization.
-
Informal. conforming entirely to the standards, rules, or demands of an organization, especially that of one's employer.
an organization mentality.
noun
-
the act of organizing or the state of being organized
-
an organized structure or whole
-
a business or administrative concern united and constructed for a particular end
-
a body of administrative officials, as of a political party, a government department, etc
-
order or system; method
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Keystone Exams: English Composition Glossary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The UN's International Organization for Migration estimates 1,172 migrants died or went missing along the route in 2025 -- a figure only slightly lower than the 1,215 people in 2024.
From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026
The World Health Organization declared the current outbreak in Congo “a public health emergency of international concern.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
Plaintiffs in the class-action complaint allege Entrata’s business model is deceptive and misleading, which violates both the Credit Repair Organizations Act and the Colorado Credit Services Organization Act.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
The Waldorf Astoria, where Trump says the July event will take place, was first converted from an old post office into a luxury hotel by the Trump Organization more than a decade ago.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
The National Organization of Delta Sigma Theta, a professional women’s sorority, had decided to give us a Christmas party at the Dunbar Community Center.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
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.
