Meaning & use
non-governmental organization
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A private group, not run by a government, that works for a social or public goal.
Grammar: Countable; it takes a plural, non-governmental organizations, and is often shortened to NGO.
Patterns
- an international non-governmental organization
- work for a non-governmental organization
- a non-governmental organization that helps someone
She works for a non-governmental organization that provides clean water.
Several non-governmental organizations sent aid after the earthquake.
The report was written by a non-governmental organization based in Nairobi.
Word forms
| plural | non-governmental organizations |
|---|
Common combinations
- international non-governmental organization
- The international non-governmental organization has offices in ten countries.
- local non-governmental organization
- A local non-governmental organization runs the shelter.
- register a non-governmental organization
- They registered a non-governmental organization to support schools.
- fund a non-governmental organization
- The foundation funds a non-governmental organization in the region.
- non-governmental organization worker
- A non-governmental organization worker delivered the supplies.
Synonyms and how they differ
- charity
- Usually focuses on giving money or help to those in need, while a non-governmental organization may also do research or advocacy.
- nonprofit
- American term for any organization not making a profit, including hospitals and universities, not just public-goal groups.
- civil society organization
- A broader term that includes community groups and unions, not only formally registered bodies.
Word family
- NGO abbreviation
- The common short form of non-governmental organization.
Practice
Which phrase best completes the sentence? Doctors Without Borders is an example of ___.
Choose one answer.
Doctors Without Borders is independent of any government, so it is a non-governmental organization. The other options all describe bodies run by the state.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “non-governmental organization”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.