A company which is not a public company and which is not allowed to offer its shares to the general public. London Stock Exchange Glossary
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A company not listed on a stock exchange and which therefore cannot offer its shares to the public.
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private company UK US noun [C]
► FINANCE a company that is owned by one person or a small group of people, for example a family, and whose shares are not traded on a stock market: »
A private company can pay its directors whatever it chooses.
► ECONOMICS a company that is not owned by the government: »
private and state-run companies
Financial and business terms. 2012.