companion

¹ American  

[kuhm-pan-yuhn] / kəmˈpæn yən /

noun

1. a person who is frequently in the company of, associates with, or accompanies another.

   my son and his two companions.

   Synonyms:

   mate, partner, comrade, associate

2. a person employed to accompany, assist, or live with another in the capacity of a helpful friend.

3. a mate or match for something.

   White wine is the usual companion of fish.

4. a handbook or guide.

   a bird watcher's companion.

5. a member of the lowest rank in an order of knighthood or of a grade in an order.

6. Also called companion star, comes.  Astronomy. the fainter of the two stars that constitute a double star.

7. Obsolete. a fellow.

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verb (used with object)

1. to be a companion to; accompany.

companion ² American  

[kuhm-pan-yuhn] / kəmˈpæn yən /

noun

Nautical.

1. a covering over the top of a companionway.

2. a companionway.

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companion ¹ British  

/ kəmˈpænjən /

noun

1. a person who is an associate of another or others; comrade

2. (esp formerly) an employee, usually a woman, who provides company for an employer, esp an elderly woman

3. 1. one of a pair; match

   2. ( as modifier )

      a companion volume

4. a guidebook or handbook

5. a member of the lowest rank of any of certain orders of knighthood

6. astronomy the fainter of the two components of a double star

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verb

1. (tr) to accompany or be a companion to

companion ² British  

/ kəmˈpænjən /

noun

1. nautical

   1. a raised frame on an upper deck with windows to give light to the deck below

   2. ( as modifier )

      a companion ladder

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Usage

What does companion mean? A companion is a person who frequently spends time with you, associates with you, or accompanies you when you go places. Pets are also commonly considered companions. The word companion implies that you spend a lot of time together. A person you call a companion can be a friend or a romantic partner. A travel companion is someone you travel with. 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. Sometimes, a hired helper is called a companion, especially when they help to take care of an older person. Companion is sometimes also used to refer to a thing that accompanies or complements something else, such as in the phrase companion piece, which often refers to an artistic work that pairs well with another work. More specifically, a companion refers to a handbook, guidebook, or field guide (the word is especially used in the titles of such books). In astronomy, companion is used in a more specific way to refer to a companion star—the less bright star in a set of stars called a double star. (The brighter star is called the primary.)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 a companion.

Related Words

See acquaintance.

Other Word Forms

• companionless adjective
• uncompanioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of companion¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English compainoun, from Anglo-French; Old French compaignon, from Late Latin compāniōn- (stem of compāniō ) “messmate,” equivalent to com- “with, together” + pān(is) “bread” + -iōn- noun suffix; presumably as translation of a Germanic word; compare Gothic gahlaiba, Old High German galeipo; com-, -ion

Origin of companion²

First recorded in 1730–40; alteration of Dutch kampanje “quarterdeck,” possibly from Italian compagna “pantry (of a ship)”

Explanation

A companion is one who serves as a friend or partner in something. Whether it’s travel or dinner or card-playing, your companion is the one who does it with you. The word companion is a close, um, companion to the word company, and you might as well say that someone you keep company with is your companion. Sometimes, it describes a piece of art or other work that goes with another. For instance, you might read a biography of Emily Dickenson as a companion to her studying her poems. The things go together and complement each other.

Example Sentences

Do you have any suggestions for how to travel smartly with a furry companion?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

But that same density can tip the cake toward heaviness — toward something that eats more like dessert than companion.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

At the World Cup they must pay full price and there is no free ticket for a companion.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Veronika is a Swiss Brown cow who lives as a companion animal rather than being raised for food production.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Like his companion in the other canoe, he was scanning the banks as he sliced the water with powerful strokes.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• accomplice
• aide
• ally
• assistant
• associate
• buddy
• co-worker
• colleague
• comrade
• cousin
• crony
• guide
• mate
• nurse
• partner
• playmate
• protector