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. 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

There are three types of fines you may receive - a penalty charge notice issued by the council, a fixed penalty notice issued by police usually linked to offences such as speeding and a parking charge notice issued by a private company.

From BBC

The same private company helps define how investigations are conducted, how targets are prioritized, how algorithms work and how decisions are justified.

From Salon

The defence expo, which is set to take place at Excel London from 9 to 12 September, is organised and run by a private company with backing from the government, Reuters reported.

From BBC

“As a private company benefiting from the perspectives of a globally recognized licensing partner, Guess? will have enhanced flexibility to navigate today’s complex operating environment.”

From Los Angeles Times

"There is no private company in the world with the nuclear capability we have. If we are not market leader globally, we did something wrong," he said.

From BBC