Which term refers to a company that controls or owns another company or companies?

The term that accurately describes a company that controls or owns another company or companies is "Parent Company." A parent company typically holds a controlling interest in a subsidiary or subsidiaries, which are separate legal entities that the parent company oversees. This ownership allows the parent company to exert significant influence or control over the operations, financial decisions, and strategic direction of the subsidiary.

In contrast, a subsidiary operates independently but under the larger umbrella of the parent company. An affiliate typically refers to a relationship between companies where one company has some level of ownership or interest, but it does not imply full control as in the case of a parent-subsidiary relationship. A joint venture involves two or more parties agreeing to work together for a particular project or purpose, often creating a new entity that is distinct from the parent companies. Therefore, the term "Parent Company" is the most appropriate for defining an entity that possesses control over another company.