Team vs. Crew: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 9, 2023
A "team" is a group united for a common goal, often in sports or business, while a "crew" typically refers to a group performing specific tasks, often onboard ships or in films.
Difference Between Team and Crew
"Team" and "crew" both refer to a collective of individuals working together, but they have distinct nuances based on their usage and contexts. A team usually represents a group of individuals united by a common purpose or goal. This could be in sports, where a football or basketball team competes to win games. Similarly, in corporate settings, project teams come together to achieve specific business objectives. The emphasis with a team is typically on collaboration, coordination, and achieving an end goal.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Conversely, the term "crew" has a more specialized usage. It often denotes a group of people with specific skills working towards a particular task, rather than a broader goal. For instance, the crew of a ship comprises individuals like the captain, mates, and sailors, each performing a designated role to operate the vessel. Similarly, in the entertainment industry, a film crew consists of professionals like directors, camera operators, and makeup artists, ensuring the successful production of a movie.
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Sep 09, 2023
One could argue that every crew is a team because they collaborate and function collectively. However, not every team is a crew, given that a team's composition and purpose aren't always tied to specialized tasks. For example, a soccer team wouldn't be called a crew because their primary purpose is not task-specific in the same way a ship's crew is.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Another distinction lies in the realms these terms are most commonly associated with. "Team" is versatile, found in various contexts from sports to businesses. "Crew", while also versatile, is more closely tied to specific industries like aviation, maritime, and entertainment.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
Team vs. Crew Comparison Chart
Team vs. Crew Definitions
◉Team
A group united by a common goal.
The team worked hard to win the championship.
Jonathan
Sep 09, 2023
◉Crew
Professionals working in film or stage production.
The film crew set up the scene meticulously.
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Sep 09, 2023
◉Team
A collective working towards shared objectives.
The research team made a groundbreaking discovery.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
◉Crew
The collective staff of a vehicle or vessel.
The flight crew ensured a smooth journey.
William
Sep 09, 2023
◉Team
People grouped by shared tasks or purposes.
The design team unveiled the new product.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
◉Crew
Workers with specific roles in an operation.
The construction crew began their early morning shift.
Lucas
Sep 09, 2023
◉Team
The members of a team who are actively playing at a given time
After a stellar performance in last week's game, the shooting guard was promoted to the starting team.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
A group of animals exhibited or performing together, as horses at an equestrian show.
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◉Crew
To serve as a crew member on
The space station will be crewed by a team of eight people.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
Any group of people involved in the same activity, especially sports or work.
We need more volunteers for the netball team.
The IT manager leads a team of three software developers.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
A group of people (often staff) manning and operating a large facility or piece of equipment such as a factory, ship, boat, airplane, or spacecraft.
If you need help, please contact a member of the crew.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
(obsolete) A group of animals moving together, especially young ducks.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
A group of people working together on a task.
The crews competed to cut the most timber.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
A royalty or privilege granted by royal charter to a lord of a manor, of having, keeping, and judging in his court, his bondmen, neifes, and villains, and their offspring, or suit, that is, goods and chattels, and appurtenances thereto.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
(arts) The group of workers on a dramatic production who are not part of the cast.
There are a lot of carpenters in the crew!
The crews for different movies would all come down to the bar at night.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
A group of people who favor one side of a binary debate that is divided and lacks a well-established clear consensus.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
A close group of friends.
I'd look out for that whole crew down at Jack's.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
(intransitive) To form a group, as for sports or work.
They teamed to complete the project.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
A group of young animals, especially of young ducks; a brood; a litter.
A team of ducklings about her.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
(plural: crew) A member of the crew of a vessel or plant.
One crew died in the accident.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
Hence, a number of animals moving together.
A long team of snowy swans on high.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
A worker on a dramatic production who is not part of the cast.
There were three actors and six crew on the set.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
Two or more horses, oxen, or other beasts harnessed to the same vehicle for drawing, as to a coach, wagon, sled, or the like.
To take his team and till the earth.
It happened almost every day that coaches stuck fast, until a team of cattle could be procured from some neighboring farm to tug them out of the slough.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
A member of a ship's company who is not an officer.
The officers and crew assembled on the deck.
There are quarters for three officers and five crew.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
A number of persons associated together in any work; a gang; especially, a number of persons selected to contend on one side in a match, or a series of matches, in a cricket, football, rowing, etc.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
A royalty or privilege granted by royal charter to a lord of a manor, of having, keeping, and judging in his court, his bondmen, neifes, and villains, and their offspring, or suit, that is, goods and chattels, and appurtenances thereto.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
To be a member of a vessel's crew
We crewed together on a fishing boat last year.
The ship was crewed by fifty sailors.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
To engage in the occupation of driving a team of horses, cattle, or the like, as in conveying or hauling lumber, goods, etc.; to be a teamster.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
To be a member of a work or production crew
The film was crewed and directed by students.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
(nautical) To do the proper work of a sailor
The crewing of the vessel before the crash was deficient.
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May 03, 2023
◉Team
Individuals collaborating in sports or business.
The sales team exceeded their quarterly targets.
Jonathan
Sep 09, 2023
◉Crew
A company of people associated together; an assemblage; a throng.
There a noble crewOf lords and ladies stood on every side.
Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
The company of seamen who man a ship, vessel, or at; the company belonging to a vessel or a boat.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
In an extended sense, any small body of men associated for a purpose; a gang; as (Naut.), the carpenter's crew; the boatswain's crew.
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May 03, 2023
◉Crew
A group handling specific tasks, especially onboard.
The ship's crew prepared for the storm.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
◉Crew
A team with distinct and specialized functions.
The rescue crew arrived promptly at the scene.
Nolan
Sep 09, 2023
Team vs. Crew Frequently Asked Questions
What is a team?
A team is a group of individuals united by a common purpose or goal.
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Sep 09, 2023
What defines a crew?
A crew is a group with specific tasks, often related to ships, films, or aviation.
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Sep 09, 2023
Would the people making a movie be a team or crew?
They would typically be called a film crew.
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Sep 09, 2023
Is a sports group more likely to be called a team or crew?
Such a group is commonly referred to as a team.
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Sep 09, 2023
In which context might you hear "crew members"?
"Crew members" is often heard in relation to ships, airplanes, or film sets.
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Sep 09, 2023
Do all crews function as teams?
Yes, since crews collaborate and function collectively.
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Sep 09, 2023
Can the terms team and crew be used interchangeably?
While both refer to groups, "team" is broader, and "crew" is often more specialized and context-specific.
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Sep 09, 2023
What's the main focus of a crew?
A crew's main focus is on performing designated roles or tasks.
Levi
Sep 09, 2023
How does a business team differ from a ship's crew?
A business team collaborates on projects or objectives, while a ship's crew performs specific maritime roles.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
What denotes the success of a team?
The success of a team is often measured by achieving their end goal or objective.
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Sep 09, 2023
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.
