company

American  

[kuhm-puh-nee] / ˈkʌm pə ni /

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.

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verb (used without object)

companied, companying

1. Archaic. to associate.

verb (used with object)

companied, companying

1. Archaic. to accompany.

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.

company British  

/ 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)

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verb

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

company More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing company

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

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Usage

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.

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• companyless adjective
• intercompany adjective

Etymology

Origin of company

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

Example Sentences

The 34-year-old now earns $180,000 a year at a big technology company after a series of raises and promotions, with bonuses and stock-based compensation on top of that.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

It may take a while, but never count the company out.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Meanwhile a local Iranian official said that the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and the Bandar Imam petrochemical company in south-western Iran had also been targeted.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

BDCs sponsor CLOs, which pool a large amount of company loans together.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

I’m flying to Sunshine Island at dawn, to meet a boat from the adventure-cruise company Troppo Tourists.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

Related Words

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