Team
/tiːm/noun
A group of people working together toward a common goal.
Did you know?Team is historically linked to a Germanic root meaning “offspring” or “progeny,” which is why its earliest sense was about a line of animals or descendants, not a sports squad.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deh₃-
“To put, place, or set in motion”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*taumaz
“A yoke, bridle, or harness for drawing”
Old English
English
tēam
“A set of draft animals; offspring, lineage, or family”
Middle English
English
team
“A group of draught animals used together; later, any organized group working together”
Modern English
English
team
“A group of people or animals working or acting together”