noun
plural mates
[count] :a person who lives with you, works in the same place as you, etc. - usually used in combination with another noun
We have been office mates for 10
years. [=
we have worked together in the same office for 10
years] -
see also classmate,
flatmate,
housemate,
playmate,
roommate,
running mate,
schoolmate,
seatmate,
shipmate,
soul mate,
stablemate,
tablemate,
teammate,
workmate
[count] :either one of a pair of animals that are breeding
[count] chiefly US :a person's husband, wife, or romantic or sexual partner
[count] chiefly US informal :either one of a pair of objects
[count] :an officer on a ship who has a rank below the captain
[count] chiefly Brit informal :a friend
[count] chiefly Brit :an assistant or helper
[noncount] :checkmate
verb
mates; mated; mating
[no obj] of animals :to have sexual activity in order to produce young
[+ obj] :to bring (animals) together so that they will breed and produce young
[+ obj] :to join or connect (things) together
US