Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cooperative \Co*["o]p"er*a*tive\, a.
   Operating jointly to the same end.

   {Co["o]perative society}, a society established on the
      principle of a joint-stock association, for the production
      of commodities, or their purchase and distribution for
      consumption, or for the borrowing and lending of capital
      among its members.

   {Co["o]perative store}, a store established by a
      co["o]perative society, where the members make their
      purchases and share in the profits or losses.

Source : WordNet®

cooperative
     adj 1: involving the joint activity of two or more; "the attack was
            met by the combined strength of two divisions";
            "concerted action"; "the conjunct influence of fire
            and strong dring"; "the conjunctive focus of political
            opposition"; "a cooperative effort"; "a united
            effort"; "joint military activities" [syn: {combined},
             {concerted}, {conjunct}, {conjunctive}, {united}]
     2: done with or working with others for a common purpose or
        benefit; "a cooperative effort" [ant: {uncooperative}]
     3: willing to adjust to differences in order to obtain
        agreement [syn: {accommodative}]

cooperative
     n 1: a jointly owned commercial enterprise (usually organized by
          farmers or consumers) that produces and distributes
          goods and services and is run for the benefit of its
          owners [syn: {co-op}]
     2: an association formed and operated for the benefit of those
        using it