The word 团队 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning about groups. 团 (tuán) carries the core idea of something round, united, or collective, like a mass or society. 队 (duì) specifically denotes a lined-up group, team, or formation, as in troops or a queue. Their fusion conceptually blends the abstract notion of unity and cohesion (团) with the concrete image of an organized, purposeful assembly of people (队), resulting in the modern concept of a "team" as a unified working group.