A co-op, or cooperative, is a business or organization that is owned and operated by its members. Synonyms for co-op include collective, group enterprise, joint venture, partnership, collaboration, association, and consortium. These words all describe a group of individuals or organizations that work together towards a common goal and share resources. Collectives and group enterprises typically refer to economic or social enterprises, while partnerships and collaborations can be used more broadly. Associations and consortiums often refer to groups of organizations, while cooperatives specifically involve ownership and control by its members. Regardless of the term used, these synonyms all describe a collaborative effort towards achieving shared objectives.