companionship

[kuhm-pan-yuhn-ship]

noun

1. association as companion; fellowship.

2. Printing.,  a group of compositors working under a foreman.

Word History and Origins

Origin of companionship¹

First recorded in 1540–50; companion ¹ + -ship

Example Sentences

Noticing my dad’s pace had slowed, I suggested he get a dog for light exercise and companionship.

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As an organizer, he wanted to re-create that sense of comfort for those in similar need of companionship.

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Fraudsters using promises of love and companionship to cheat the lonely is a crime as old as Victorian novels.

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Counselling houses, where therapy and companionship are offered to patients, have opened up across the country.

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The tale of Sydney, a rescue dog who provided solace and companionship for evacuees from the Eaton fire.

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Related Words

• camaraderie 
• togetherness 

When To Use

What does companionship mean?

Companionship is the state of spending time with someone or having someone to spend time with—the state of having a companion or being someone’s companion.A companion is a person who frequently spends time with you, associates with you, or accompanies you when you go places. Companionship is similar to friendship, and a person one calls a companion is usually their friend or romantic partner. But the word companionship specifically implies that a lot of time is spent in each other’s company.The word commonly applies to relationships between people, but pets can also provide companionship.Example: People make fun of older people for using dating sites, but the truth is that a lot of them are just lonely and looking for companionship.