private company

noun

, British.

1. a company whose shareholders may not exceed 50 in number and whose shares may not be offered for public subscription.

private company

noun

1. See public company
   a limited company that does not issue shares for public subscription and whose owners do not enjoy an unrestricted right to transfer their shareholdings Compare public company

Word History and Origins

Origin of private company¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Academic researchers, bioethicists and scientists at private companies, such as IBM and Facebook, are discussing these questions among themselves.

From Science News

The right, meanwhile, is largely concerned with claims of censorship, and believes that private companies should be forced into a stance of political neutrality to protect conservative speech.

From MIT Technology Review

NASA’s collaboration with SpaceX also represented the next evolution in human spaceflight, as the government works with private companies to design and build spacecraft and rockets.

From Washington Post

The flight announced Monday would mark another significant milestone in the privatization of spaceflight, as private companies erode governments’ long-held monopoly on human spaceflight.

From Washington Post

The transition has been, at times, tumultuous, as private companies suffer failures with potentially serious consequences but don’t always report them publicly.

From Washington Post

Should it even be up to a private company to influence government policy?

From The Daily Beast

After 57 years of continuous operation, the theater closed, was sold to a private company, and scheduled for demolition.

From The Daily Beast

And if conservatives are against the private company in the case of Chipotle, are they suddenly for government?

From The Daily Beast

I'd prefer that this hypothetical healthcare Sam Walton be a private company operating in a competitive marketplace.

From The Daily Beast

Kia: Male Fantasy Year: 2012 Ad Meter Score: 7.75 Kellogg Grade: B Share Price Change: 0.95 percent* *Private company 18.

From The Daily Beast

While the islands were leased to a private company the beaches were patrolled by riflemen.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, I never yet heard of a private company seeking a franchise without doing so more or less openly.

From Project Gutenberg

The government does not try to compel you to write letters any more than the private company tries to compel you to send packages.

From Project Gutenberg

I have never found in England a private company having any inspection whatsoever of dangerous industries.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, the work of a private company on the line leading towards Manchuria is making little headway.

From Project Gutenberg