Company vs. Organization: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on January 7, 2024
A company is a commercial entity engaged in business activities for profit, while an organization is a structured group with a specific purpose or objective.
Difference Between Company and Organization
A company primarily operates in the business sphere, often with the primary goal of generating profit. This profit motive differentiates it from many other entities. An organization, on the other hand, can span a broad range of sectors and may not always be profit-driven.
Muazma Batool
Jan 07, 2024
In legal contexts, a company usually has specific definitions and regulations it must adhere to, often pertaining to its structure, taxation, and responsibilities to shareholders. Organizations can also be subject to legal definitions, but these can vary widely depending on the nature and purpose of the organization.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 07, 2024
From a structural standpoint, a company typically has shareholders, directors, and employees, each with defined roles. An organization, while also having a structure, might be organized around members, volunteers, or stakeholders, without the commercial dynamics present in companies.
Muazma Batool
Jan 07, 2024
Companies often emphasize hierarchy, roles, and responsibilities tied to business operations and revenue generation. In contrast, organizations, especially non-profits, might prioritize their mission, values, or societal contributions over hierarchical structures.
William
Jan 07, 2024
In everyday language, "company" often implies a business or corporation, whereas "organization" can be a more general term. It's common to refer to both for-profit and not-for-profit entities as organizations, but typically only profit-driven entities are referred to as companies.
Muazma Batool
Jan 07, 2024
Company vs. Organization Comparison Chart
Structure
Shareholders, directors, employees
Members, volunteers, stakeholders
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 07, 2024
Common Contexts
Business, commerce
Broad range, including non-profits, clubs, associations
Leo
Jan 07, 2024
Company vs. Organization Definitions
◉Company
A commercial entity engaged in business for profit.
The tech company has seen significant growth this year.
Jonathan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Organization
A unit of soldiers, typically a subdivision of a battalion.
The company was deployed overseas.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
◉Company
The presence or companionship of individuals.
He enjoyed the company of his friends.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
◉Organization
A commercial entity engaged in business for profit.
The tech company has seen significant growth this year.
Nolan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Organization
A group of people associated together in a joint business venture.
She started a company with her college friends.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
◉Company
One's companions or associates
moved in fast company.
is known by the company she keeps.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
An assembly or gathering of people.
A company of actors rehearsed the play.
Nolan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Organization
The act or process of organizing
The organization of the photos did not take long.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
The state of friendly companionship; fellowship
was grateful for her company.
friends who finally parted company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
The state or manner of being organized
The organization of the files could be improved.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
A manner of accomplishing something in an orderly or efficient way
Your project was hampered by your lack of organization.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
A partner or partners not specifically named in a firm's title
Lee Rogers and Company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
A group of persons organized for a particular purpose; an association or business.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
The administrative personnel of such a structure
contacted the organization with his complaint.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit. It is usually under the command of a captain and is made up of at least two platoons.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
(uncountable) The quality of being organized.
This painting shows little organization at first glance, but little by little the structure becomes clear.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
(uncountable) The way in which something is organized, such as a book or an article.
The organization of the book is as follows.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
(countable) A group of people or other legal entities with an explicit purpose and written rules.
In response to the crisis, the nations in the region formed an organization.
If you want to be part of this organization, you have to follow its rules.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
(countable) A group of people consciously cooperating.
Over time, the spontaneous movement had become an organization.
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May 03, 2023
◉Organization
(baseball) A major league club and all its farm teams.
He's been in the Dodgers' organization since 2003.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
The act of organizing; the act of arranging in a systematic way for use or action; as, the organization of an army, or of a deliberative body.
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May 03, 2023
◉Company
A group of individuals who work together for a common purpose.
A company of actors.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
(military) A unit of approximately sixty to one hundred and twenty soldiers, typically consisting of two or three platoons and forming part of a battalion.
the boys in Company C
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
That which is organized; an organized existence; an organism
The cell may be regarded as the most simple, the most common, and the earliest form of organization.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
It took six companies to put out the fire.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
A group of persons associated together for a common purpose and having a set of rules which specify the relations of the individual members to the whole gorup.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
The manner in which something is organized; the relations included in an organized state or condition; as, the organization of the department permits ad hoc groups to form.
What is organization but the connection of parts in and for a whole, so that each part is, at once, end and means?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
An intelligence service.
As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
an organized structure for arranging or classifying;
he changed the arrangement of the topics
the facts were familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was original
he tried to understand their system of classification
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
(legal) An entity having legal personality, and thus able to own property and to sue and be sued in its own name; a corporation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something;
he claims that the present administration is corrupt
the governance of an association is responsible to its members
he quickly became recognized as a member of the establishment
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
(business) Any business, whether incorporated or not, that manufactures or sells products (also known as goods), or provides services as a commercial venture.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
the act of forming something;
the constitution of a PTA group last year
it was the establishment of his reputation
he still remembers the organization of the club
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
(uncountable) Social visitors or companions.
Keep the house clean; I have company coming.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
the act of organizing a business or business-related activity;
he was brought in to supervise the organization of a new department
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
the activity or result of distributing or disposing persons or things properly or methodically;
his organization of the work force was very efficient
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
an ordered manner; orderliness by virtue of being methodical and well organized;
his compulsive organization was not an endearing quality
we can't do it unless we establish some system around here
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Organization
The presence or companionship of individuals.
He enjoyed the company of his friends.
Nolan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Company
The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompanying; fellowship; companionship; society; friendly intercourse.
Evil company doth corrupt good manners.
Brethren, farewell: your company alongI will not wish.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
A companion or companions.
To thee and thy company I bidA hearty welcome.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient.
Thou shalt meet a company of prophets.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse.
Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
An association of persons for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an insurance company; a joint-stock company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; - often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer & Co.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
The crew of a ship, including the officers; as, a whole ship's company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
The body of actors employed in a theater or in the production of a play.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
an institution created to conduct business;
he only invests in large well-established companies
he started the company in his garage
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical);
the traveling company all stayed at the same hotel
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
the state of being with someone;
he missed their company
he enjoyed the society of his friends
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
a band of people associated temporarily in some activity;
they organized a party to search for food
the company of cooks walked into the kitchen
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
a social gathering of guests or companions;
the house was filled with company when I arrived
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
a social or business visitor;
the room was a mess because he hadn't expected company
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
a unit of firefighters including their equipment;
a hook-and-ladder company
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Company
A group of people associated together in a joint business venture.
She started a company with her college friends.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
◉Company
A unit of soldiers, typically a subdivision of a battalion.
The company was deployed overseas.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
◉Company
An assembly or gathering of people.
A company of actors rehearsed the play.
Olivia
Sep 14, 2023
Company vs. Organization Frequently Asked Questions
Can an organization operate for profit?
Yes, many organizations operate for profit but not all do.
Muazma Batool
Jan 07, 2024
Do all companies fall under the same legal definitions?
No, legal definitions vary based on factors like company size and location.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 07, 2024
Is hierarchy exclusive to companies?
No, many organizations also have hierarchies, but the emphasis might differ.
Leo
Jan 07, 2024
Can you refer to a non-profit as a company?
Typically, non-profits are referred to as organizations, not companies.
Jonathan
Jan 07, 2024
Is every company an organization?
Yes, every company is a type of organization but not vice versa.
Elijah
Jan 07, 2024
Do companies always have shareholders?
Mostly yes, especially in the context of corporations, but there are different types of companies.
Elijah
Jan 07, 2024
What's the primary goal of a company?
Profit generation is usually the main objective.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 07, 2024
Which term is broader: company or organization?
Organization is a broader term encompassing various groups, including companies.
William
Jan 07, 2024
Which term implies a more formal structure?
Both can be formal, but company often suggests a commercial and legally-defined structure.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 07, 2024
Which term is more commonly used in everyday language?
Organization is more generic, while company often implies a business.
William
Jan 07, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
