- 1[countable] (abbreviation Co.) (often in names) a business organization that makes money by producing or selling goods or services the largest computer company in the world the National Bus Company She joined the company in 2009. Mike gets a company car with his new job (= one that the company pays for). Company profits were 5% lower than last year. He runs his own TV production company. company policy Topic CollocationsBusinessrunning a business
- buy/acquire/own/sell a company/firm/franchise
- set up/establish/start/start up/launch a business/company
- run/operate a business/company/franchise
- head/run a firm/department/team
- make/secure/win/lose/block a deal
- expand/grow/build the business
- boost/increase investment/spending/sales/turnover/earnings/exports/trade
- increase/expand production/output/sales
- boost/maximize production/productivity/efficiency/income/revenue/profit/profitability
- achieve/maintain/sustain growth/profitability
- cut/reduce/bring down/lower/slash costs/prices
- announce/impose/make cuts/cutbacks
- break into/enter/capture/dominate a market
- capture/gain/grab/take/win/boost/lose market share
- identify/find/build/create a market for something
- start/launch an advertising/a marketing campaign
- develop/launch/promote a product/Web site
- estimate/assess/create/generate demand for your product
- attract/get/retain/keep/help customers/clients
- drive/generate/boost/increase demand/sales
- beat/keep ahead of/out-think/outperform/ (informal) stymie the competition
- meet/reach/exceed/miss sales targets
- draw up/set/present/propose/agree on/approve a budget
- keep to/balance/cut/reduce/slash the budget
- be/come in below/under/over/within budget
- generate income/revenue/profit(s)/funds/business
- fund/finance a campaign/a venture/an expansion/spending/a deficit
- provide/raise/allocate capital/funds
- attract/encourage investment/investors
- recover/recoup costs/losses/an investment/an outlay
- get/obtain/offer somebody/grant somebody credit/a loan
- apply for/raise/secure/arrange/provide financing
- lose business/trade/customers/sales/revenue
- accumulate/accrue/incur/run up debts
- suffer/sustain enormous/heavy/serious losses
- face cuts/a deficit/bankruptcy/a shortfall
- declare/file for/enter/avoid/escape bankruptcy
- liquidate a company/a business/assets
- survive/weather a recession/downturn
- propose/seek/block/oppose a merger
- launch/make/accept/contest/defeat a takeover bid
theater/dance - 2(often in names) [countable] a group of people who work or perform together a theater/dance, etc. company the Steppenwolf Theater Company
- 3[uncountable] the fact of being with someone else and not alone I enjoy Jo's company (= I enjoy being with her). 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[uncountable] guests in your house I didn't realize you had company. group of people
- 5[uncountable] (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[countable] a group of soldiers that is part of a battalion Idioms
- 1to leave someone; to end a relationship with someone This is where we part company (= go in different directions). The band have parted company with their manager. The band and their manager have parted company.
- 2to disagree with someone about something Weber parted company with Marx on a number of important issues.
business
the people that someone spends time with Judging by the company he kept, Mark must have been a wealthy man.
to be friends with people that others disapprove of They worried about their teenage son getting into bad company.
together with or at the same time as someone or something She arrived in company with the ship's captain. The U.S. dollar went through a difficult time, in company with the oil market.
if you say that someone is in good company, you mean that they should not worry about a mistake, etc. because someone else, especially someone 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.
to stay with someone so that they are not alone I'll keep you company while you're waiting.
used after being rude or critical about someone to say that the people you are talking to are not included in the criticism The people in this office are so narrow-minded, present company excepted, of course.
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
Check pronunciation: company