partner

[pahrt-ner]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to associate as a partner or partners with.

2. to serve as the partner of.

partner

/ 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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• partnerless adjective
• nonpartner noun
• underpartner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of partner¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of partner¹

C14: variant (influenced by _part ) of _parcener

Example Sentences

“He very much embraces disruption as a positive to forward the industry,” said Gerry Cardinale, managing partner of RedBird Capital, which helped back his takeover of Paramount.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Liberia is a thriving democracy and one of the United States's closest partners on the African continent," attorneys said in the filing in a US federal court in Maryland.

Read more on Barron's

China is already Brazil's largest trading partner, investing heavily in the South American giant's automotive sector.

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Lester Ross, a partner at WilmerHale who has spent decades representing companies operating in China, says the backdrop for western companies ranks as one of the toughest in his career.

Read more on Barron's

The managing partner leading Jana’s campaign, Ostfeld, has been at the firm for two decades and worked on campaigns at companies including Tiffany & Co.,

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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