company

com·pa·ny (k

-n

)

n. pl. com·pa·nies

1. A group of persons. See Synonyms at band².

a. One's companions or associates: moved in fast company; is known by the company she keeps.

b. A guest or guests: had company for the weekend.

c. The state of friendly companionship; fellowship: was grateful for her company; friends who finally parted company.

a. A business enterprise; a firm.

b. A partner or partners not specifically named in a firm's title: Lee Rogers and Company.

4. A troupe of dramatic or musical performers: a repertory company.

a. A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit. It is usually under the command of a captain and is made up of at least two platoons.

b. A unit of firefighters.

6. A ship's crew and officers. See Usage Note at collective noun.

tr.v. com·pa·nied, com·pa·ny·ing, com·pa·nies

To accompany or associate with.

[Middle English compainie, from Old French compaignie, from Vulgar Latin *compnia, from *compni, companion; see companion¹.]

company

Noun

pl -nies

1. a business organization

2. a group of actors

3. a small unit of troops

4. the officers and crew of a ship

5. the fact of being with someone: I enjoy her company

6. a number of people gathered together

7. a guest or guests

8. a person's associates

9. keep someone company to accompany someone

10. part company to disagree or separate [see companion]

Company Examples: company of actors [often used collectively as “the company”]; of apostles, 1548; of fair maidens, 1325; of fowls, 1393; of fine glasses, 1621; of islands, 1677; of moles; of musicians; of parrots; of players; of prophets; of small roots, 1577; of ships [merchant fleet]; of soldiers; of turbot, 1864; of widgeon, 1856.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	company - an institution created to conduct business; "he only invests in large well-established companies"; "he started the company in his garage" broadcasting company - a company that manages tv or radio stations bureau de change - (French) an establishment where you can exchange foreign money auto company, car company - a company that makes and sells automobiles dot com, dot com company, dot-com - a company that operates its business primarily on the internet using a URL that ends in `.com' drug company, pharma, pharmaceutical company - a company that makes and sells pharmaceuticals East India Company - an English company formed in 1600 to develop trade with the new British colonies in India and southeastern Asia; in the 18th century it assumed administrative control of Bengal and held it until the British army took over in 1858 after the Indian Mutiny electronics company - a company that makes and sells electronic instruments film company - a company that makes, advertises, and distributes movies food company - a company that processes and sells food furniture company - a company that sells furniture mining company - a company that owns and manages mines shipping company - a company that provides shipping services steel company - a company that makes and sells steel subsidiary company, subsidiary - a company that is completely controlled by another company transportation company - a company providing transportation institution, establishment - an organization founded and united for a specific purpose distributor - a company that markets merchandise; "his company is a large distributor of software products" oil company - a company that sells oil packaging company, packaging concern - a company that packages goods for sale or shipment or storage pipeline company - a company that operates oil pipelines for the oil industry printing business, printing company, printing concern - a company that does commercial printing corporate investor - a company that invests in (acquires control of) other companies takeover target, target company - a company that has been chosen as attractive for takeover by a potential acquirer white knight - a company that is a friendly acquirer in a takeover Ld., limited company, Ltd. - a company that is organized to give its owners limited liability holding company - a company with controlling shares in other companies service - a company or agency that performs a public service; subject to government regulation livery company - one of the chartered companies of London originating with the craft guilds open shop - a company whose workers are hired without regard to their membership in a labor union closed shop - a company that hires only union members union shop - a company allowed to hire nonunion workers on the condition that they will join the union within a specified time stock company - a company whose capital is represented by stock joint-stock company - a company (usually unincorporated) which has the capital of its members pooled in a common fund; transferable shares represent ownership interest; shareholders are legally liable for all debts of the company record company - a company that makes and sells musical recordings moving company, public mover, removal company, removal firm, mover - a company that moves the possessions of a family or business from one site to another think factory, think tank - a company that does research for hire and issues reports on the implications shipper - a company in the business of shipping freight
	2.	company - small military unit; usually two or three platoons army unit - a military unit that is part of an army armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker" battle group - an army unit usually consisting of five companies battalion - an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies platoon - a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant trainband - a company of militia in England or America from the 16th century to the 18th century
	3.	company - the state of being with someone; "he missed their company"; "he enjoyed the society of his friends" companionship, fellowship, society freemasonry - a natural or instinctive fellowship between people of similar interests; "he enjoyed the freemasonry of the Press" friendly relationship, friendship - the state of being friends (or friendly)
	4.	company - organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical); "the traveling company all stayed at the same hotel" troupe organization, organisation - a group of people who work together opera company - a company that produces operas theater company - a company that produces plays ballet company - a company that produces ballets Greek chorus, chorus - a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play circus - a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals; "he ran away from home to join the circus" minstrel show - a troupe of performers in blackface typically giving a comic program of negro songs and jokes minstrelsy - a troupe of minstrels cast, cast of characters, dramatis personae - the actors in a play
	5.	company - a social or business visitor; "the room was a mess because he hadn't expected company" caller visitant, visitor - someone who visits
	6.	company - a social gathering of guests or companions; "the house was filled with company when I arrived" attendance - the number of people that are present; "attendance was up by 50 per cent" cohort - a company of companions or supporters social affair, social gathering - a gathering for the purpose of promoting fellowship number - a select company of people; "I hope to become one of their number before I die"
	7.	company - a band of people associated temporarily in some activity; "they organized a party to search for food"; "the company of cooks walked into the kitchen" party band, circle, lot, set - an unofficial association of people or groups; "the smart set goes there"; "they were an angry lot" fatigue party - a group of soldiers on fatigue duty landing party - a part of a ship's company organized for special duties ashore party to the action, party to the transaction - a party of people taking a role in legal proceedings rescue party - a party of rescuers search party - a party of people to search for someone stretcher party - a party of people with stretchers to carry an injured person war party - a band of warriors who raid or fight an enemy (used especially of Native Americans)
	8.	company - crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship ship's company full complement, complement - number needed to make up a whole force; "a full complement of workers" crew - the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
	9.	company - a unit of firefighters including their equipment; "a hook-and-ladder company" social unit, unit - an organization regarded as part of a larger social group; "the coach said the offensive unit did a good job"; "after the battle the soldier had trouble rejoining his unit"
Verb	1.	company - be a companion to somebody companion, keep company, accompany affiliate, assort, consort, associate - keep company with; hang out with; "He associates with strange people"; "She affiliates with her colleagues"