company

Pronunciation: /ˈkʌmpəni/

Reading level: easy

Estimated CEFR level: A1 — Beginner

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an institution created to conduct business
  2. noun small military unit; usually two or three platoons
  3. noun the state of being with someone

Etymology

From Middle English companye (“a team; companionship”), from Old French compaignie (“companionship”) (Modern French: compagnie), possibly from Late Latin *compania, but this word is not attested. Old French compaignie is equivalent to Old French compaignon (Modern French: compagnon) + -ie. More at companion. Displaced native Old English werod, gefer, getæl, and hired.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
institution
Narrower (hyponyms)
holding company, target company, oil company, east india company, bureau de change, broadcasting company

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