Company: meaning, definitions and examples

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company

[ˈkʌmp(ə)ni ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

business

A company is a commercial business that is established to provide products or services in exchange for money. Companies can be small or large, private or public, and they can operate in various industries.

Synonyms

business, corporation, firm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
company	General term for any business entity, more casual and commonly used in everyday speech. She started her own company last year. The company has over 500 employees.
firm	Commonly refers to a partnership or a business, often professional service firms such as law and consulting firms. He works for a well-known law firm. The consulting firm advised them on their business strategy.
business	Broad term that can refer to any commercial activity or commercial enterprise. Often used to emphasize the commercial aspect. She runs a successful business from home. The restaurant business is very competitive.
corporation	Legal entity that is separate from its owners, often large and formal. Used in legal and economic contexts. Apple Inc. is a multinational corporation. The corporation was fined for violating environmental laws.

Examples of usage

Apple Inc. is a multinational technology company.
Many young professionals dream of starting their own company.
The company's annual revenue reached a record high this year.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

group

A company can also refer to a group of people who come together for a particular purpose, such as companionship or social interaction.

Synonyms

association, companionship, group.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
company	It can also be used to describe a group of people coming together for social purposes, similar to its second meaning. The company of friends can be very comforting. He invited me to join his company for dinner.
companionship	This word is best used when talking about the positive relationship or bond between individuals, often emphasizing emotional support and friendship. Dogs provide great companionship for people living alone. She values companionship over material wealth.
association	This word is typically used to refer to a group of people who come together for a specific purpose or interest. It often has a formal connotation. He is a member of the American Medical Association. They formed an association to protect the local wildlife.
group	Use this word when referring to an assembly or collection of individuals or things, usually with less formal connotations than 'association' and more general than 'company'. A group of tourists visited the museum. The study involved a group of researchers from different universities.

Examples of usage

She enjoyed the company of her friends at the party.
The elderly man appreciated the company of his grandchildren.
I don't mind being alone, but I do miss having some company.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'company' comes from the Latin 'companio', meaning 'one who eats bread with another', implying companionship.
Originally, company referred to a group of people who shared meals together, reflecting social interactions.
The word evolved in the Middle Ages to represent groups of merchants or traders working together.

History

In the 17th century, 'company' became associated with organized trading enterprises, like the British East India Company.
Many early companies were created for exploration and trade, influencing global commerce significantly.
The rise of the joint-stock company in the 1600s allowed more investors to share in the profits and risks of business ventures.

Pop Culture

The musical 'Company' by Stephen Sondheim explores themes of relationships and the nature of being single in modern society.
In film, companies often represent larger themes, demonstrating characters' growth or challenges, as seen in corporate dramas.
Social media companies have reshaped how we interact and connect with each other on a global scale.

Business

Companies can be classified in various forms, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.
The corporate world has seen a shift toward social responsibility, with many companies now prioritizing sustainability.
Startups are a fresh concept representing new companies that aim for rapid growth, particularly in technology.

Psychology

Having company can influence our mood positively, as human beings tend to thrive on social interactions.
The concept of company plays a crucial role in psychological well-being, often reducing feelings of loneliness.
Organizations often focus on team dynamics, understanding that effective collaboration improves productivity and job satisfaction.

Translations

Translations of the word "company" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empresa

🇮🇳 कंपनी

🇩🇪 Unternehmen

🇮🇩 perusahaan

🇺🇦 компанія

🇵🇱 firma

🇯🇵 会社（かいしゃ）

🇫🇷 entreprise

🇪🇸 empresa

🇹🇷 şirket

🇰🇷 회사 (hoesa)

🇸🇦 شركة

🇨🇿 společnost

🇸🇰 spoločnosť

🇨🇳 公司 (gōngsī)

🇸🇮 podjetje

🇮🇸 fyrirtæki

🇰🇿 компания

🇬🇪 კომპანია

🇦🇿 şirkət

🇲🇽 empresa

Word Frequency Rank

With position #239, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

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236 result
237 become
238 things
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240 provided
241 family
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