1. plural of mate; friends or companions
Usage: informal; chiefly British
2. plural of mate; sexual partners of animals
Usage: biology
3. plural of mate; officers on a ship
Usage: nautical

1. third person singular present of mate; pairs for breeding
Usage: biology

Examples

• He’s going out with his mates tonight.
• The birds choose their mates in spring.
• The ship’s mates helped navigate through the storm.
• The captain relies on his experienced mates.
• She met her old school mates at the reunion.
• The male peacock mates with several females.
• Good mates stick together through tough times.