domestic partner

American  

[duh-mes-tik pahrt-ner] / dəˈmɛs tɪk ˈpɑrt nər /

noun

1. either member of an unmarried, cohabiting heterosexual or gay couple whose relationship status grants certain legal rights and protections similar to those of spouses.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• domestic partnership
  noun

Etymology

Origin of domestic partner

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Adding unpaid labor onto one’s daily workload is draining and, provided your domestic partner is open to ameliorating the imbalance, solvable.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

Wagoner was also one of the attorneys who represented a divorced Arkansas man who had been prohibited from having overnight visitation with his child in the presence of his long-term domestic partner.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024

Chen’s domestic partner, Runhua Hou or Rachael Hou, 32, is accused of assisting Chen.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2024

Ask about the maximum amount the policy will pay out and if the benefits can be shared by a domestic partner or spouse.

From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2023

It would be just as safe and sensible for the merchant to neglect his cash book, as for his domestic partner, who undertakes to do her business properly, to fail to keep her cash book.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 3, September 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various