company

noun, often attributive

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com·pa·ny | \ ˈkəmp-nē

, ˈkəm-pə- \

plural companies

Definition of company

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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 a company of actors

d : the officers and crew of a ship The captain called a meeting of the ship's company.

e : a firefighting unit A hose company was first to arrive at the scene of the fire.

3a : a chartered commercial organization or medieval trade guild

b : an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise electric companies a publishing company

c : those members of a partnership firm whose names do not appear in the firm name John Doe and Company

company

verb

companied; companying

Definition of company (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: accompany … may … fair winds company your safe return.— John Masefield

intransitive verb

: associate

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about company

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Examples of company in a Sentence

Noun He runs his own trucking company. She joined the company last year. The company is based in Paris. Her dogs are her only company these days. You can tell a lot about people by the company they keep. Verb in her sermon the minister noted that Jesus had companied with the least privileged and most disadvantaged members of society may the Good Lord company you on your journey home

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Airlines, cruise lines, and other companies in fuel-dependent industries dragged US stocks lower Monday after an attack on Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil-processing facility sent crude prices soaring. — BostonGlobe.com, "US stocks slip as spike in crude oil rattles market - The Boston Globe," 17 Sep. 2019 Experts told the Associated Press that Ecuador does not have mechanisms in place requiring companies to protect personal data. — Greg Norman | Fox News, Fox News, "Major data breach puts all Ecuadorans - including Julian Assange - at risk of identity theft, security firm warns," 17 Sep. 2019 Consumer concerns have led many companies to voluntarily remove parabens from their products. — Tracy Middleton, Allure, "The Story Behind Allure's New Clean Best of Beauty Seal," 16 Sep. 2019 Many companies run 24-hour shifts year round, so schedules may be erratic, and employees may be scheduled for holidays and weekends. — Cheryl P. Rose, Houston Chronicle, "Process technicians earn strong wages for serious responsibilities," 16 Sep. 2019 Ironically, the company with the highest bid could also prove problematic. — Ellen James Martin | Andrews Mcmeel Syndication, courant.com, "Smart Moves: Redos and redon’ts if you’re planning to sell," 16 Sep. 2019 Last year, the Free Press published an investigation that revealed just 16% of the Hardest Hit funded demolitions went toward black companies in Detroit. — Kat Stafford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan seeking $250M bond to eliminate all residential blight," 16 Sep. 2019 Boeing has more than 100,000 employees and, like many large companies, at times struggles with information flow. — David Gelles, New York Times, "Boeing Board to Call for Safety Changes After 737 Max Crashes," 15 Sep. 2019 Key Talking Point Having parted company with Javi Gracia before the international break, this match represented the returning Quique Sanchez Flores' first opportunity to make an impression on his side - albeit one against formidable opposition. — SI.com, "Watford 2-2 Arsenal: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Hornets Second Half Fightback Stings Gunners," 15 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'company.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Company.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/companying. Accessed 8 December 2019.

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More Definitions for company

company

noun

English Language Learners Definition of company

: 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

See the full definition for company in the English Language Learners Dictionary

company

noun

com·pa·ny | \ ˈkəm-pə-nē

, ˈkəmp-nē \

plural companies

Kids Definition of company

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

company

noun

com·pa·ny

plural companies

Legal Definition of company

: an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise — compare corporation, partnership

— finance company

: a company that makes usually small short-term loans to individuals

— growth company

: a company that grows at a greater rate than the economy as a whole and that usually directs a relatively high proportion of income back into the business

— holding company

: a company whose sole function is to own and control other companies

— investment company

: a company that earns income solely or primarily by holding and investing in securities issued by other companies or by government agencies

— joint-stock company

: a business organization whose capital is represented by shares owned by stockholders each of whom is personally liable for the company's debts

— limited liability company

: an unincorporated company formed under applicable state statute whose members cannot be held liable for the acts, debts, or obligations of the company and that may elect to be taxed as a partnership

— mutual company

: an insurance company whose capital is owned by its policyholders

— surety company

: a company that provides surety bonds for a fee

— trust company

: a company and often a commercial bank acting as trustee for individuals and businesses and providing related financial or estate planning services

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