What does teaming mean?
Teaming means joining forces with others and working together as a team. It is especially common when people or organizations bring different skills to a shared task, as in scientists and artists teaming up to produce an exhibition or separate departments collaborating on a project. The expression “teaming up” is the most familiar form and carries the positive connotation of cooperation, mutual support, and pooled expertise, although it can also suggest an informal or temporary alliance. As a noun, teaming refers to the process of forming teams or working jointly; this use is less frequent and is often encountered in business, education, and organizational writing. Teaming can also describe the division of a larger group into smaller units with particular responsibilities. The word is useful because it captures not merely working near other people but actively combining abilities and coordinating toward a common result.
To join forces with other people and work together as a team, or to form a team.
"Local musicians are teaming with schools to give young people access to instruments."
The phrase “teaming up with” is commonly used when two distinct people or organizations collaborate.
The act or process of forming teams, joining forces, or working together in an organized way.
"Cross-department teaming improved communication across the organization."
This noun use is relatively uncommon and is most frequent in formal, business, educational, and organizational contexts.
The plural is rare because teaming is usually used as a verb or gerund.
"The programme encouraged teamings between research institutions and local businesses."
Before “team” meant a group of players, its Old English ancestor meant a family’s offspring—so today’s teamwork has roots in the family tree.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does teaming come from?
Teaming derives from the English noun and verb “team.” The Old English ancestor “tēam” originally meant offspring or progeny, especially the children born to the same parents, before its meaning developed to include a group acting together. English later formed “teammate” and “teamwork” from the same base, while “teamster” originally referred to a driver who transported people in a team of horses.
Related word forms
How teaming is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in British and American English. The verbal phrase “teaming up” is especially idiomatic; the noun use is less common and often sounds formal or organizational.
Easily confused with teaming
Teaming means working together as a team, whereas teeming means being crowded or filled with people, animals, or things.