n.
Pronunciation: ' k ə mp-n ē , ' k ə m-p ə -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -nies
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English companie, from cumpaignie, from cumpaing companion ― more at COMPANION
Date: 13th century
1 a : 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>
2 a : 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 d : the officers and crew of a ship e : a firefighting unit
3 a : a chartered commercial organization or medieval trade guild b : an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise c : those members of a partnership firm whose names do not appear in the firm name <John Doe and Company >