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company

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noun

/ˈkʌmp(ə)ni/

singular	company
plural	companies

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Synonyms

1
[countable] an organization that provides services, or that makes or sells goods for money
Max works for a large oil company.
He joined the company in 1982.
a local/multinational company
and Company (=used in company names):
Johnson and Company
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
1. a.
  [only before noun] connected with a company or with the people in a company
  It's company policy.
  We can't all be company directors.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
2
[uncountable] people you are with
mixed company (=a group that includes men and women):
Some of the jokes weren't really suitable for mixed company.
bad company (=friends that other people do not approve of):
Things started to go wrong when he got into bad company.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
1. a.
  the activity of being with other people
  I thought you might be glad of some company tonight.
  She doesn't really feel like company at the moment.
  the company of someone:
  She's always liked the company of powerful people.
  someone's company:
  We usually enjoy his company.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
2. b.
  a guest or guests
  She's not coming – she's got company.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
See also polite company
3
[countable] theatre a group of actors, singers, or dancers who perform together: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
the Royal Shakespeare Company
a dance/theatre company
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
1. a.
  a group of soldiers that is usually divided into two or more smaller groups called platoons: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
2. b.
  the people who work on a particular ship: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  the ship's company
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
3. c.
  a group that is part of a children's organization such as the Scouts or Girl Guides: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
4. d.
  used in the names of some organizations, often organizations that people with particular jobs or skills can join
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company

phrases

and company
informal
used after someone's name for referring to the people they are connected with or usually spend time with
We need another table for Bruce Reed and company.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
the company someone keeps
the people that someone spends time with
We didn't like the company she was keeping.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
be good company
someone who people enjoy spending time with
Jane is such good company.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
in company
British
with other people
Children need to be taught not to pick their noses in company.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
in company with
formal
together with someone or something else
Germany, in company with France, refused to lift the ban.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
in good company
doing the same thing someone else has done, especially someone who is important or respected. This expression is used especially for telling someone not to worry about something bad they have done
If you've put on weight during the holidays, you're in good company.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
join company with
formal
to become involved in something that someone else is doing
Nurses' unions have joined company with the teachers in protesting at the policy.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
keep someone company
to spend time with someone so that they will not feel lonely
Would you like me to stay and keep you company?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
keep company with someone
to spend time with someone
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
part company
1. 1
  to end a relationship, for example a marriage
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
2. 2
  to stop travelling or spending time together and go to different places
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
3. 3
  to disagree about a particular subject
  This is where I part company with the professor.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company
two's company, three's a crowd
used for saying that two people, especially people having a romantic relationship, would prefer to be alone rather than with other people
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of company

See also

present¹

Synonyms: company

Talking or writing about companies

business a company that makes or sells goods or provides a service, especially one owned and run by one person or a small group of people: She left to start her own catering business. ♦ He sold the business that his father and grandfather had built up.

firm a company, especially one providing professional or financial services: a large New York law firm ♦ a firm of architects/management consultants

cooperative a company that is owned and run by all the people who work for it: an organic food cooperative

corporation a large company that employs a lot of people: the state-run sugar corporation ♦ Some of the Hollywood studios were bought by big Japanese corporations.

multinational a large company that operates in many different countries: The fund invests mainly in US multinationals. ♦ an advertising agency with several multinational clients, including Coca-Cola

subsidiary a company that is owned by a larger company: Electronics giant Panasonic is a subsidiary of Matsushita.

plc a large British company that members of the public can invest money in

conglomerate a large company made up of several smaller companies that often has a wide range of business activities: one of the world's largest media conglomerates, with interests in television, magazines, books, and the Internet

This is the British English definition of company. View American English definition of company.

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View the pronunciation for company.

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Did you know?

company

What are red words?

Thesaurus

Related dictionary definitions

phrases

and company

the company someone keeps

be good company

in company

in company with

in good company

join company with

keep someone company

keep company with someone

part company

two's company, three's a crowd

caxirola

Word of the Day

glean

pierce the corporate veil