Merger vs. Takeover — What's the Difference?

The act or an instance of merging

In business, a takeover is the purchase of one company (the target) by another (the acquirer, or bidder). In the UK, the term refers to the acquisition of a public company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, in contrast to the acquisition of a private company.

An absorption of one corporation by another, with the corporation being absorbed losing its separate identity and governance.

The act or an instance of assuming control or management of or responsibility for something, especially the seizure of power, as in a nation, political organization, or corporation.

(Law) An absorption of a lesser estate, contract, criminal offense, right, or liability into a succeeding larger one, resulting in the extinction of the former.

The performing of an action or a play in a game again after the first performance has been discounted or is under dispute.

One that merges.

(economics) The purchase of one company by another; a merger without the formation of a new company, especially where some stakeholders in the purchased company oppose the purchase.

The act or process of merging two or more parts into a single unit.

The acquisition of a public company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, in contrast to the acquisition of a private company.

(economics) The legal union of two or more corporations into a single entity, typically assets and liabilities being assumed by the buying party.

A time or event in which control or authority, especially over a facility is passed from one party to the next.

(legal) An absorption of one or more estate(s) or contract(s) into one other, all being held by the same owner; of several counts of accusation into one judgement, etc.

Alternative form of take over

(phonology) A type of sound change where two or more sounds merge into one.

The acquisition of ownership of one company by another company, usually by purchasing a controlling percentage of its stock or by exchanging stock of the purchasing company for that of the purchased company. It is a hostile takeover if the management of the company being taken over is opposed to the deal. A hostile takeover is sometimes organized by a corporate raider.

One who, or that which, merges.

A sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force

An absorption of one estate, or one contract, in another, or of a minor offense in a greater.

A change by sale or merger in the controlling interest of a corporation

The combining of two groups into a unified single group under a single leadership, with voluntary participation by the leaders or management of both groups.

The combining of two commercial enterprises into a unified single enterprise under a single management, with voluntary participation by both parties; as, the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler into Daimler-Chrysler created a powerful competitor in the automobile manufacturing industry. Compare acquisition and takeover.

The combination of two or more commercial companies

An occurrence that involves the production of a union