company Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an institution created to conduct business
    • he only invests in large well-established companies
    • he started the company in his garage
  2. noun small military unit; usually two or three platoons
  3. noun the state of being with someone
    fellowship; companionship; society.
    • he missed their company
    • he enjoyed the society of his friends
  4. noun organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical)
    troupe.
    • the traveling company all stayed at the same hotel
  5. noun a social or business visitor
    caller.
    • the room was a mess because he hadn't expected company
  6. noun a social gathering of guests or companions
    • the house was filled with company when I arrived
  7. noun a band of people associated temporarily in some activity
    party.
    • they organized a party to search for food
    • the company of cooks walked into the kitchen
  8. noun crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship
    ship's company.
  9. noun a unit of firefighters including their equipment
    • a hook-and-ladder company
  10. verb be a companion to somebody
    keep company; accompany; companion.

WordNet

Com"pa*ny noun
Etymology
F. compagnie, fr. OF. compaing. See Companion.
Wordforms
plural Companies
Definitions
  1. The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompaying; fellowship; companionship; society; friendly intercourse. Shak.
    Evil company doth corrupt good manners. 1 Cor. xv. 33. (Rev. Ver. ).
    Brethren, farewell: your company along I will not wish. Milton.
  2. A companion or companions.
    To thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome. Shak.
  3. An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient.
    Thou shalt meet a company of prophets. 1 Sam. x. 5.
  4. Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine.
  5. Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse.
    Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company. Swift.
  6. An association of persons for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an insurance company; a joint-stock company.
  7. Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; -- often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer & Co.
  8. (Mil.) A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.
  9. (Naut.) The crew of a ship, including the officers; as, a whole ship's company.
  10. The body of actors employed in a theater or in the production of a play. Syn. -- Assemblage; assembly; society; group; assembly; society; group; circle; crowd; troop; crew; gang; corporation; association; fraternity; guild; partnership; copartnery; union; club; party; gathering.
Com"pa*ny transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Companied ; present participle & verbal noun Companying
Definitions
  1. To accompany or go with; to be companion to. Obs.
Com"pa*ny intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To associate.
    Men which have companied with us all the time. Acts i. 21.
  2. To be a gay companion. Obs. Spenser.
  3. To have sexual commerce. Obs. Bp. Hall.

Webster 1913