company

Universal Words noun (plural companies) business 1 [C+sing./pl.v.] (abbreviation Co.) (often in names) a business organization that makes money by producing or selling goods or services: one of the largest computer companies in the world * the National Bus Company * She joined the company in 1992. * Mike gets a company car with his new job. * Company profits were 5% lower than last year. * He runs his own TV production company. * company policy theatre / dance 2 (often in names) [C+sing./pl.v.] a group of people who work or perform together: a theatre / dance company * the Royal Shakespeare Company being with sb 3 [U] the fact of being with sb else and not alone: I enjoy Jo's company (= I enjoy being with her). * She enjoys her own company (= being by herself) when she is travelling. * The children are very good company (= pleasant to be with) at this age. * a pleasant evening in the company of friends * He's coming with me for company. guests 4 [U] (formal) guests in your house: I didn't realize you had company. group of people 5 [U] (formal) a group of people together: She told the assembled company what had happened. * It is bad manners to whisper in company (= in a group of people). soldiers 6 [C+sing./pl.v.] a group of soldiers that is part of a BATTALION IDIOMS the company sb keeps the people that sb spends time with: Judging by the company he kept, Mark must have been a wealthy man. get into / keep bad company to be friends with people that others disapprove of: They worried about their teenage son getting into bad company. in company with sb/sth (formal) together with or at the same time as sb/sth: She arrived in company with the ship's captain. * The US dollar went through a difficult time, in company with the oil market. in good company if you say that sb is in good company, you mean that they should not worry about a mistake, etc. because sb else, especially sb more important, has done the same thing: If you worry about your relationship with your teenage son or daughter, you are in good company. Many parents share these worries. keep sb company to stay with sb so that they are not alone: I'll keep you company while you're waiting. two's company (, three's a crowd) (saying) used to suggest that it is better to be in a group of only two people than have a third person with you as well moreatPARTv., PRESENTadj.