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

The partnership will initially focus on scaling up supply chains for spacecraft subsystems and the companies will also evaluate a path toward industrialized satellite bus platforms.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

ASU oversees operation of the spacecraft's imaging instrument in partnership with Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego, which helped design, build, and test the cameras.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

The defence ministry said it had suspended a partnership project with Starbucks that had provided beverages to soldiers.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

"It's lead to thousands of people donating blood, that may or may not think about donating, which is what's really important about this partnership."

From BBC • May 26, 2026

The Mark I was what brought Lawrence and Alvarez to Livermore on their scouting visit, Ernest again embracing his wartime role as impresario of a partnership of government, academia, and industry.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

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