com·pa·ny 
/ˈkʌmpəni/ noun
plural com·pa·nies /ˈkʌmpəni/ noun 1 [count] : a business organization that makes, buys, or sells goods or provides services in exchange for money
▪ He runs his own trucking company. ▪ She joined the company last year. ▪ record/insurance/computer companies ▪ The company is based in Paris. — often used before another noun ▪ company policy/profits ▪ the company director ▪ company executives/officials 2 [noncount] : the state or condition of being with another person
▪ 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] — see also in mixed company at mixed 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.
▪ He runs his own trucking company. ▪ She joined the company last year. ▪ record/insurance/computer companies ▪ The company is based in Paris. — often used before another noun ▪ company policy/profits ▪ the company director ▪ company executives/officials
▪ 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] — see also in mixed company at mixed
▪ 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.
▪ We are having company for dinner. [=guests or visitors will be eating dinner with us at our home] ▪ Are you expecting company?
▪ the soldiers of Company C
b : the officers and crew of a ship
▪ the ship's company
▪ a theater/ballet company
▪ the law firm of Smith and Company ▪ (informal) John and company got to the party pretty late.
part company — see 2part
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.
