partnership

American  

[pahrt-ner-ship] / ˈpɑrt nərˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the state or condition of being a partner; participation; association; joint interest.

2. Law.

   1. the relation subsisting between partners.

   2. the contract creating this relation.

   3. an association of persons joined as partners in business.

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partnership British  

/ ˈpɑːtnəʃɪp /

noun

1. 1. a contractual relationship between two or more persons carrying on a joint business venture with a view to profit, each incurring liability for losses and the right to share in the profits

   2. the deed creating such a relationship

   3. the persons associated in such a relationship

2. the state or condition of being a partner

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partnership Cultural  

1. An association of two or more persons to conduct a business. In contrast to a corporation, those who engage in a partnership are liable for debts incurred by the company to the full extent of their private fortunes rather than merely to the extent of their investment.

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Other Word Forms

• prepartnership
  noun

Etymology

Origin of partnership

First recorded in 1570–80; partner + -ship

Explanation

What do Lewis and Clark, Bonnie and Clyde, and Ben and Jerry have in common? They all formed partnerships — cooperative relationships where they worked as a team to reach a goal, whether it was robbing banks or inventing Cherry Garcia. It’s easy to spot partner hidden inside partnership. That should clue you in to the fact the word is all about the deal sealed between two or more people, groups, or even countries that agree to throw their lot in together to achieve something both want. A partnership can be a legal business relationship sealed by a contract or a casual handshake-driven agreement between friends. A marriage is a partnership. So is a corporate merger.

Example Sentences

Research has now been funded by Health and Care Research Wales to work with marginalised communities in Wales to improve access to support, in a project called Pelvic Power Partnership.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Supporters of the transparency act, including Building a Better California and Inland Empire Economic Partnership, plan to submit about 1.5 million signatures to county election officials this week.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The Orlando-area workforce remains disproportionately concentrated in lower-wage occupations, according to a 2025 report by the Orlando Economic Partnership, an economic-development organization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"We are elevating our relationship to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership, in recognition of the strength and potential of our bilateral defense ties," Hegseth said in a statement on X.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Partnership in business common from early times Association, or partnership, makes its appearance very early and in a highly developed state.

From Babylonian and Assyrian Laws, Contracts and Letters by Johns, C. H. W. (Claude Hermann Walter)

Related Words

• assistance
• association
• business
• company
• cooperation
• cooperative
• corporation
• firm
• friendship
• interest
• organization
• ownership
• sharing
• society
• tie up
• union