1. 1. The act or process of organizing.
   2. The state or manner of being organized: a high degree of organization.
2. Something that has been organized or made into an ordered whole.
3. Something made up of elements with varied functions that contribute to the whole and to collective functions; an organism.
4. A group of persons organized for a particular purpose; an association: a benevolent organization.
5. 1. A structure through which individuals cooperate systematically to conduct business.
   2. The administrative personnel of such a structure.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.