partner

American  

[pahrt-ner] / ˈpɑrt nər /

noun

1. a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate.

   Synonyms:

   accomplice, accessory, colleague

2. Law.

   1. a person associated with another or others as a principal or a contributor of capital in a business or a joint venture, usually sharing its risks and profits.

   2. special partner.

3. silent partner.

4. a spouse; a husband or a wife.

5. the person with whom one cohabits in a romantic relationship.

   I'd like you to meet my partner, Sarah.

6. either of two people who dance together.

   my favorite partner in the waltz.

7. a player on the same side or team as another.

   My tennis partner was an excellent player.

8. Nautical. partners, a framework of timber round a hole in a ship's deck, to support a mast, capstan, pump, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to associate as a partner or partners with.

2. to serve as the partner of.

partner British  

/ ˈpɑːtnə /

noun

1. an ally or companion

   a partner in crime

2. a member of a partnership

3. one of a pair of dancers or players on the same side in a game

   my bridge partner

4. either member of a couple in a relationship

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verb

1. to be or cause to be a partner (of)

Other Word Forms

• nonpartner noun
• partnerless adjective
• underpartner noun

Etymology

Origin of partner

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English partener, alteration of parcener by association with part

Explanation

If you open a lemonade stand with your brother, then your brother is your business partner. Partner means "to pair up." At a square dance, the call "partner up!" means it's time to find someone to dance with. In business, there are often multiple partners — each one owns a share of the business, and has a share of the risk. Some people call their spouse or the person they're in a long-term relationship with their partner — it has more egalitarian senses than "husband" or "wife," and signals commitment even if you're not married.

Example Sentences

A parent who refuses to share basic caregiving responsibilities places an unfair and unrealistic burden on the other partner — and on you, if you are spending time babysitting while he is upstairs.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

She and partner Martin Ware cast a wide net throughout the UK, seeing thousands of kids in their initial search before bringing in scores of boys to read.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

A new, slimmer version was introduced on Friday—a reflection, said Sean Quinn, a partner at law firm Cooley, of the shifting political tides and the strength of the industry resistance.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

One of the plane's tyres appears to have gone through one of the truck's windows and windscreen, the driver's employers told CBS News, the BBC's US news partner.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Neither the public nor his family would ever welcome Maggie Fox as his partner.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• ally
• associate
• colleague
• companion
• friend
• husband
• participant
• spouse
• wife