mate

1 noun

1 schoolmate/roommate/workmate etc someone you study with, live with etc: My flatmate and I aren't getting on very well!

—see also: running mate, soul mate

2 FRIEND

a) (C) BrE informal a friend: I'm going out with my mates tonight.

b) BrE and AustrE informal used by men as a friendly way to address a man: What's the time, mate?

3 ANIMAL (C) the sexual partner of an animal

4 HUSBAND/WIFE especially AmE a word meaning your husband or wife, used especially in magazines: Does your mate snore?

5 PAIR OF OBJECTS (C) especially AmE one of a pair of objects: I can't find the mate to my glove.

6 SAILOR (C) a ship's officer who is one rank below the captain

7 NAVY OFFICER (C) a US Navy petty officer

8 builder's mate/plumber's mate etc BrE someone who works with and helps a skilled worker; assistant

9 GAME (C, U) checkmate in the game of chess

2 verb

1 (intransitive + with) if animals mate, they have sex to produce babies

2 (T) to put animals together so that they will have sex and produce babies

3 (T) to achieve the checkmate of your opponent in chess