kurum

Kurum is a Turkish noun meaning an organized body or establishment that performs defined tasks. It is used for formal organizations with legal personality, such as government agencies, public institutions, private organizations, or foundations.

In Turkey, kurums span the public and private sectors. Public institutions described as kamu kurumları include ministries, regulatory agencies, and public hospitals. Private kurums include private foundations, research centers, and other organizations that have a distinct legal status beyond mere committees. The term also appears in common phrases like kamu kurumu (a public body) and özel kurum (private institution).

In legal and administrative language, kurum conveys more formality than ordinary words for "organization." It can denote a body established by law, regulation, or charter and governed by specific rules. The corporate tax known as Kurumlar Vergisi applies to the profits of legal entities that are described as kurums.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is of Turkish origin and has long been used in Ottoman and modern Turkish to designate official bodies and established establishments. It is distinct from adjacent terms such as şirket (company) or dernek (association), though the distinctions can blur in everyday speech when referring to large or public-facing organizations.