1. (

• company ,

) an institution created to conduct business; "he only invests in large well-established companies"; "he started the company in his garage" ;

2. (

• company ,

) small military unit; usually two or three platoons ;

3. (

• company ,
• companionship ,
• fellowship ,
• society

) the state of being with someone; "he missed their company"; "he enjoyed the society of his friends" ;

4. (

• company ,
• troupe

) organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical); "the traveling company all stayed at the same hotel" ;

5. (

• caller ,
• company

) a social or business visitor; "the room was a mess because he hadn't expected company" ;

6. (

• company

) a social gathering of guests or companions; "the house was filled with company when I arrived" ;

7. (

• party ,
• company ,

) a band of people associated temporarily in some activity; "they organized a party to search for food"; "the company of cooks walked into the kitchen" ;

8. (

• ship's_company ,
• company ,

) crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship ;

9. (

• company ,

) a unit of firefighters including their equipment; "a hook-and-ladder company" ;

1. (

• company ,
• companion ,
• accompany ,
• keep_company

) be a companion to somebody ;