First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1company
noun, com·pa·ny often attributive \ˈkəmp-nē, ˈkəm-pə-\
: a business organization that makes, buys, or sells goods or provides services in exchange for money
: the state or condition of being with another person
: someone or something you spend time with or enjoy being with
plural com·pa·nies
Full Definition of COMPANY
1
a : association with another : fellowship <enjoy a person's company> b : companions, associates <know a person by the company she keeps> c : visitors, guests <having company for dinner>
2
a : a group of persons or things <a company of horsemen> b : a body of soldiers; especially : a unit (as of infantry) consisting usually of a headquarters and two or more platoons c : an organization of performing artists d : the officers and crew of a ship e : a firefighting unit
3
a : a chartered commercial organization or medieval trade guild b : an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise c : those members of a partnership firm whose names do not appear in the firm name <John Doe and Company>
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Origin of COMPANY
Middle English companie, from cumpaignie, from cumpaing companion — more at companion
Other Business Terms
2company
verb
companiedcompany·ing
Definition of COMPANY
transitive verb
: accompany <may … fair winds company your safe return — John Masefield>
intransitive verb
First Known Use of COMPANY
14th century
Related to COMPANY
- Synonyms
- chum, associate, consociate, consort, fraternize, hang (around or out), hobnob, hook up, mess around, pal (around), run, sort, travel
COMPANIES Defined for Kids
company
noun com·pa·ny \ˈkəm-pə-nē, ˈkəmp-nē\
plural com·pa·nies
Definition of COMPANY for Kids
1
: an association of persons operating a business
2
: the presence of someone who brings comfort <I enjoy your company.>
3
: a person or thing someone enjoys being with <She's good company.>
4
: a person's companions or associates <You are known by the company you keep.>
5
: guests or visitors especially at a person's home <We have company.>
6
: a group of persons or things <Then the hurrying water … swept all the company of casks and tubs away … — J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit>
7
: a body of soldiers
8
: a band of musical or dramatic performers <an opera company>
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