company

[kuhm-puh-nee]

noun

plural

companies 

1. a number of individuals assembled or associated together; group of people.

   Synonyms: body, assemblage, group

2. a guest or guests.

   We're having company for dinner.

3. an assemblage of persons for social purposes.

   Synonyms: crowd, gathering

4. companionship; fellowship; association.

   I always enjoy her company.

5. one's usual companions.

   I don't like the company he keeps.

6. society collectively.

   Synonyms: corporation, house, firm

7. a number of persons united or incorporated for joint action, especially for business.

   a publishing company;

   a dance company.

8. (initial capital letter),  the members of a firm not specifically named in the firm's title.

   George Higgins and Company.

9. Military.

   1. the smallest body of troops, consisting of a headquarters and two or three platoons.

   2. any relatively small group of soldiers.

   3. Army.,  a basic unit with both tactical and administrative functions.

10. a unit of firefighters, including their special apparatus.

    a hook-and-ladder company.

11. Also called ship's company. a ship's crew, including the officers.

12. a medieval trade guild.

13. Informal.,  the Company, a nation's major intelligence-gathering and espionage organization, as the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

verb (used without object)

companied, companying 

1. Archaic.,  to associate.

verb (used with object)

companied, companying 

1. Archaic.,  to accompany.

company

/ ˈkʌmpənɪ /

noun

1. a number of people gathered together; assembly

2. the fact of being with someone; companionship

   I enjoy her company

3. a social visitor or visitors; guest or guests

4. a business enterprise

5. Abbreviation: Co.  co. the members of an enterprise not specifically mentioned in the enterprise's title

6. a group of actors, usually including business and technical personnel

7. a unit of around 100 troops, usually comprising two or more platoons

8. the officers and crew of a ship

9. a unit of Girl Guides

10. English history a medieval guild

11. 1. to accompany (someone)

    2. (esp of lovers) to associate with each other; spend time together

12. 1. to end a friendship or association, esp as a result of a quarrel; separate

    2. (foll by with) to leave; go away (from); be separated (from)

verb

1. archaic,  to keep company or associate (with someone)

Other Word Forms

• companyless adjective
• intercompany adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of company¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French; Old French compaignie “companionship,” equivalent to compain (from Late Latin compāniō; companion ¹ ) + -ie -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of company¹

C13: from Old French compaignie, from compain companion, fellow, from Late Latin compāniō; see _companion ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. keep company,

   1. to associate with; be a friend of.

   2. Informal. to go together, as in courtship.

      My sister has been keeping company with a young lawyer.

2. part company,

   1. to cease association or friendship with.

      We parted company 20 years ago after the argument.

   2. to take a different or opposite view; differ.

      He parted company with his father on politics.

   3. to separate.

      We parted company at the airport.

More idioms and phrases containing company

• keep someone company
• misery loves company
• part company
• two's company

Synonym Study

Company, band, party, troop refer to a group of people formally or informally associated. Company is the general word and means any group of people: a company of motorists. Band, used especially of a band of musicians, suggests a relatively small group pursuing the same purpose or sharing a common fate: a concert by a band; a band of survivors. Party, except when used of a political group, usually implies an indefinite and temporary assemblage, as for some common pursuit: a spelunking party. Troop, used specifically of a body of cavalry, usually implies a number of individuals organized as a unit: a troop of cavalry.

Example Sentences

Critics are concerned that this could be an example of “circular financing,” in which a company invests in its biggest customers who then use the money to buy the investor’s products.

From Los Angeles Times

Michelob Ultra has become the top-selling beer in the US two year's after its parent company's Bud Light brand lost the title following a consumer backlash.

From BBC

Prosecutors say that company was actually a fabrication.

From BBC

His wife alerted a flight attendant and the pilot but instead of alerting medical personnel and following company policy, the lawsuit said the pilot dismissed her concerns, “joked with Plasencia, and cleared him for take-off.”

From Los Angeles Times

The employees are backed by Starbucks Workers United, the union representing Starbucks workers that has had years-long clashes with the company over issues ranging from hours and pay to staffing and harassment.

From Salon

Related Words

• association 
• club 
• community 
• group 
• party 
• team 

When To Use

What does company mean?

Company refers to a group of people.Company is a common word with many different specific meanings, but they all have to do with a gathering of people or interaction among a group of people.The word company perhaps most commonly refers to a business. Energizer is a company that makes and sells batteries. When company is used in the name of a business, it is often abbreviated as Co.Company can be the guests you have over to your house. It can also refer to the presence of others: enjoying the company of your cousins.Example: Sarah likes to walk home from school in the company of her best friend, Joe.