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Glite Dictionary
European Economic Community

European Economic Community

1 4.3
An organization of European countries set up in 1957 that later became the European Union
  • proper noun
translation icon : Comunidad Económica Europea
  • Over time, the European Economic Community evolved into what is known today as the European Union.
  • European Economic Community (EEC)
  • membership in the European Economic Community
  • established the European Economic Community

Examples

  • The 1957 Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community, a common market with institutions to govern trade and regulate diverse sorts of commerce.

    Academic text (1995)

  • In 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community.

    Academic text (2000)

  • At the same time, the president announced that Washington would seek equivalent contributions of $100 million each from Japan and the European Economic Community.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The Rome Treaty that created the European Economic Community in 1958 pursues two major goals:

    Academic text (1993)

  • The Treaty of Rome (Treaty) established the European Economic Community, which is comprised of twelve Member States.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The institutionalization of NATO and the later emergence of the European Economic Community (which subsequently evolved into the EU) thus meant that the civil war within the West was finally over.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Since its inception in 1958, the European Economic Community (EEC) has been a major catalyst for change in landscapes and life.

    Academic text (1999)

  • In 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community to enhance cooperation among member states.

  • The European Economic Community played a crucial role in fostering economic ties between its founding members.

Synonyms

EC
vsEuropean Economic Community
28 5.8

A group of European countries that work together to remove trade barriers and make common rules

is the formal economic-focused name rather than the short abbreviation
European Community
vsEuropean Economic Community
19 3.7

Countries in Europe that worked together after World War II to make trade and laws easier

is defined by the specific founding year 1957 rather than a general postwar date
Common Market
vsEuropean Economic Community
  • Archaic
4 3.7

A group of European countries that removed limits on trade and worked together economically

is the official formal name rather than an informal nickname
EEC
vsEuropean Economic Community
1 5.2

A group of European countries that worked to reduce trade barriers

is the full formal name for the same organization

Surface Forms

European Economic Community main

Morphology

European + economic + community

The phrase is fully compositional: 'European' (relating to Europe) + 'economic' (relating to economic matters) + 'community' (a group or organization) together clearly denote an organization of European states focused on economic cooperation. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words can therefore infer the basic meaning (an organisation for European economic collaboration), even if they lack historical or formal knowledge of the specific institution.

Etymology

The European Economic Community was created in 1957 so several European countries could 'work together' on trade and money, like neighbours opening gates to share goods easily. This close cooperation became the first step, a 'precursor', to what we now call the European Union.