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

See Examples For:

partnership partnerships

Oh said the investment was intended to strengthen their partnership.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

His partnership with Oli McBurnie showed promising signs in the 20 minutes or so they were together in Slovenia, but there was little time to build on that cameo against the Swiss.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

He would include “protecting athletics funding, football in particular, making new partnerships with Navy to serve the district’s needs, and growing the partnership with law enforcement.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Marriage is considered a partnership that two people sign up for, regardless of who earned the paycheck.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

Neither of them knew it yet, but it was the start of a partnership that would transform their lives—and the future of American code breaking.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Dunamu’s push toward stablecoins comes as it seeks to build a broader financial business and expand internationally through partnerships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

I want to dramatically expand paid internships, apprenticeships and partnerships with employers and organized labor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

While the brand retains partnerships with long-retired Jordan, plus Williams and Ronaldo - Woods ended his association in 2024.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Budget: Buelna would continue to advocate for state and federal funds as well as community partnerships that bring additional resources to the colleges.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

I’m going to begin calling out the partnerships.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

Related Words

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