Company: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.