companion Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a friend who is frequently in the company of another
familiar; comrade; fellow; associate.
- drinking companions
- comrades in arms
noun a traveler who accompanies you
fellow traveller; fellow traveler.
noun one paid to accompany or assist or live with another
verb be a companion to somebody
company; keep company; accompany.

F. compagnon, OF. compaing, fr. as assumed LL. companio (cf. companium fellowship, a mess), fr. L. com- + panis bread. See Pantry.

One who accompanies or is in company with another for a longer or shorter period, either from choice or casually; one who is much in the company of, or is associated with, another or others; an associate; a comrade; a consort; a partner.
The companions of his fall. Milton.

The companion of fools shall smart for it. Prov. xiii. 20 (Rev. Ver. )

Here are your sons again; and I must lose Two of the sweetest companions in the world. Shak.

A companion is one with whom we share our bread; a messmate. Trench.
A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders; as, a companion of the Bath.
A fellow; -- in contempt. Obs. Shak.
Cf. OSp. compaña an outhouse, office. (Naut.) (a) A skylight on an upper deck with frames and sashes of various shapes, to admit light to a cabin or lower deck. (b) A wooden hood or penthouse covering the companion way; a companion hatch. Syn. -- Associate; comrade; mate; compeer; partner; ally; confederate; coadjutor; accomplice.

To be a companion to; to attend on; to accompany. R. Ruskin.
To qualify as a companion; to make equal. Obs.
Companion me with my mistress. Shak.