company
12 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
companies
plural
companies
Britannica Dictionary definition of COMPANY
1
[count]
:
a business organization that makes, buys, or sells goods or provides services in exchange for money
— often used before another noun
-
He runs his own trucking company.
-
She joined the company last year.
-
record/insurance/computer companies
-
The company is based in Paris.
-
company policy/profits
-
the company director
-
company executives/officials
2
[noncount]
:
the state or condition of being with another person
—
see also in mixed company at mixed
-
I enjoy her company. [=I enjoy being with her]
-
I would love for you to come over. I could really use the company. [=I really want to spend time with someone; I do not want to be alone]
-
I turned the radio on for company. [=so that I wouldn't be lonely]
-
I felt nervous being in the company of [=around, with] such important people.
-
(chiefly Brit) She arrived in company with the mayor. [=she was with the mayor when she arrived]
-
I'll keep you company [=I'll stay with you] while you wait for your mom.
-
He has been keeping company with [=associating with] a gang of known criminals.
-
(chiefly Brit) The children have no idea how to behave in company. [=with a group of people]
-
It's not something you should talk about in polite company. [=in formal settings; with people you do not know well]
3
[noncount]
a
:
someone or something you spend time with or enjoy being with
-
He's good company. [=he's enjoyable to be around]
-
I'm lousy company tonight. [=I'm not enjoyable to be around tonight; I'm in a bad mood]
-
Her dogs/sisters/books/thoughts are her only company these days.
b
:
the people you spend time with
-
You can tell a lot about people by the company they keep.
-
She's been keeping bad company. [=spending time with people who are not morally good]
◊ If you are in good company or have plenty of company, you are in the same situation or have the same problem or opinion as many other people.
-
If you're confused about the new system, you're in good company. [=other people are also confused]
-
Do you know now what you will do when you retire? If not, you have plenty of company.
-
If you think health-care costs are out of control, you've got plenty of company.
4
[noncount]
:
guests or visitors especially at your home
-
We are having company for dinner. [=guests or visitors will be eating dinner with us at our home]
-
Are you expecting company?
5
[count]
a
:
a group of soldiers
-
the soldiers of Company C
b
:
the officers and crew of a ship
-
the ship's company
6
[count]
:
a group of actors, dancers, singers, etc., who perform together
-
a theater/ballet company
7
[noncount]
:
people who are not named but are part of a group
-
the law firm of Smith and Company
-
(informal) John and company got to the party pretty late.
part company
two's company, three's a crowd
— used to say that a third person is not welcome when two people (such as two lovers) want to be alone with each other
-
Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Two's company, three's a crowd.
