partnership

American  

[pahrt-ner-ship] / ˈpɑrt nərˌʃɪp /

noun

partnerships plural

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

Derived Forms

• prepartnership
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• partnerships
  plural

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

"We value our partnership with the traders and will continue to work closely with them to ensure Smithfield Market remains a welcoming destination for local shoppers and visitors alike."

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026

"This visit is about celebrating a winning partnership between New Zealand and India -- one that delivers for our people and supports greater prosperity and security for both our countries," he said.

From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026

Castlelake had proposed going into partnership with two EU nationals, businessmen Peter Bellew and Mark Breen.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

The partnership with the barber was short-lived, however, and when Johnson went to a bank to try to borrow $250 to start a company, he was turned down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

John Gutfreund had done violence to the Wall Street social order—and got himself dubbed the King of Wall Street—when, in 1981, he’d turned Salomon Brothers from a private partnership into Wall Street’s first public corporation.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

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