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noun B1 Intermediate Common

organisation

AW-guh-neye-zay-shuhn
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Organisation (noun) means the standard British and Australian spelling of "organization" — a group of people with a shared purpose, or the state of being well arranged. Example: “The charity is a small but effective organisation.”

noun
1
The standard British and Australian spelling of "organization" — a group of people with a shared purpose, or the state of being well arranged.
"Although excessive organisation began as a hobby of the ultra-wealthy (Shearer and Teplin once sorted Reese Witherspoon’s closet, and charge more than £200 an hour for their services), storage-stuffed homes are increasingly commonplace." — Amelia Tait, ‘It’s a control thing’: why are we so fascinated by super-organised homes? (2023)
"The charity is a small but effective organisation."
"Our organisation runs free classes for adults who want to learn to read."
"Her organisation of the files saved everyone a lot of time."

How to use organisation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSame word and meaning as "organization" — just the British/Australian spelling with an "s."

UK vs US

British and Australian English use "organisation"; American English uses "organization."

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Word forms

Plural
organisations
Test yourself on “organisation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The charity is a small but effective _____.

Etymology

Came from Middle French organisation, equivalent to organise plus -ation.

Origin: Middle French

Related words

Rhymes for organisation

See all rhymes for organisation →

Frequently asked questions

What does “organisation” mean?
The word “organisation” means the standard British and Australian spelling of "organization" — a group of people with a shared purpose, or the state of being well arranged. In plain terms, same word and meaning as "organization" — just the British/Australian spelling with an "s.".
How do you pronounce “organisation”?
“Organisation” is pronounced AW-guh-neye-zay-shuhn (/ˌoɹ.ɡə.nɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “organisation” in a sentence?
Here is “organisation” used in a sentence: “The charity is a small but effective organisation.”
What part of speech is “organisation”?
“Organisation” is a noun.
Is “organisation” a common word?
“Organisation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "organisation" and "organization"?
They are the same word with the same meaning; "organisation" is the standard British and Australian spelling, while "organization" with a "z" is standard in American English. Whichever you choose, use it consistently within a piece of writing.
Which spelling should I use, "organisation" or "organization"?
Use "organisation" if you are writing in British or Australian English, and "organization" for American English. Some British style guides, such as Oxford's, also accept the "-ize" form, so internal consistency matters most.
Does "organisation" have more than one meaning?
Yes. It can mean a group of people with a shared purpose, such as a company or charity, or it can mean the state of being well arranged, as in "the organisation of the files was excellent." The spelling stays the same in both senses.
What are common collocations with "organisation"?
Common pairings include "charitable organisation," "non-profit organisation," "international organisation," and "level of organisation." Most describe either a formal body or how well something is arranged.

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