Who Goes There? Friend or Acquaintance?

In a recent discussion, a few women were talking about our local youth and how they need to be taught to how to make friends and be friends with each other.

I put in my two bits and said we can't force others to be friends. We can teach them what a friend is and how to be one. We can't tell them who their friends are. More importantly, we need to teach them how to be kind and support each other rather or not they are friends.

What is the definition of a friend if it's not to support each other?
Maybe we all have lots of friends and a few best friends?
Are the people you work with friends or acquaintances? Is there a difference?

My definition/standard of a friend was different than the other ladies. My definition of a friend is more a confidant, I guess.

"So then we aren't friends?" one asked in jest. Hmmm....

We talked more then tabled the discussion until later.

I went home and looked up friend in the dictionary.
This is what it said:

1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.

2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.

3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.

4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.

I have to think a little more about the definition of friend and what we really want to accomplish with the youth.

What's your definition of friend?

Any suggestions on how to make/be friends?