/ kəmˈpæniən; NAmE / noun
1.
a person or an animal that travels with you or spends a lot of time with you :
travelling companions
( figurative )
Fear was the hostages' constant companion.
2.
a person who has similar tastes, interests, etc. to your own and whose company you enjoy :
She was a charming dinner companion.
His younger brother is not much of a companion for him.
They're drinking companions (= they go out drinking together) .
3.
a person who shares in your work, pleasures, sadness, etc. :
We became companions in misfortune.
4.
a person, usually a woman, employed to live with and help sb, especially sb old or ill / sick
5.
one of a pair of things that go together or can be used together :
A companion volume is soon to be published.
6.
used in book titles to describe a book giving useful facts and information on a particular subject :
A Companion to French Literature
—see also boon companion
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French compaignon , literally one who breaks bread with another, based on Latin com- together with + panis bread.