noun pl. companies -·nies

1. companionship; society to enjoy another's company
2. a group of people; specif.,
   1. a group gathered for social purposes
   2. a group associated for some purpose, as to form a commercial or industrial firm a theatrical company, a manufacturing company
3. a trade guild in the Middle Ages
4. the partners whose names are not given in the title of a firm John Smith and Company
5. a guest or guests; visitor or visitors
6. a habitual associate or associates people are judged by the company they keep
7. Mil. a body of troops; specif., the lowest administrative unit, as of infantry, normally composed of two or more platoons and a headquarters
8. all of a ship's personnel, including the officers
   in full ship's company

Etymology: ME & OFr compaignie < VL compania, lit., group sharing bread: see companion

transitive verb companied -·nied, companying -·ny·ing

intransitive verb