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

The California Community Schools Partnership Program received a $1-billion boost and Democrats directed $2.8 million in additional funding to the program that provides free meals for school children.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

Some 47 million tons of residential recyclable material is generated annually, with only 21% of that material being recycled, according to The Recycling Partnership, a nonprofit.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

“The media landscape is so fragmented, and the algorithm delivers the personal tastes,” Bob Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Partnership Alliances and adjunct professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

Mr. Troy is a senior fellow in Zionist thought at the Jewish People Policy Institute in Jerusalem and author of “The Essential Guide to the U.S-Israel Partnership, the 250th Anniversary Edition,” forthcoming in June.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Related Words

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