accompaniment

American  

[uh-kuhm-puh-ni-muhnt, uh-kuhmp-ni-] / əˈkʌm pə nɪ mənt, əˈkʌmp nɪ- /

noun

1. something incidental or added for ornament, symmetry, etc.

2. Music. a part in a composition designed to serve as background and support for more important parts.

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accompaniment British  

/ əˈkʌmpnɪ-, əˈkʌmpənɪmənt /

noun

1. something that accompanies or is served or used with something else

2. something inessential or subsidiary that is added, as for ornament or symmetry

3. music a subordinate part for an instrument, voices, or an orchestra

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Other Word Forms

• nonaccompaniment noun

Etymology

Origin of accompaniment

First recorded in 1725–35; accompany + -ment

Example Sentences

They’ve also allowed people to organize things like court accompaniment, protection for religious services and food drives.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

For the accompaniment, he is less forgiving: Serve with warm steamed rice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Together, they are trying to understand why the doxology, always sung “in one way and one way only” suddenly has been “pepped up” with an energetic organ accompaniment.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

Featuring a voice-over from Peterlee-born actress Gina McKee, the musical accompaniment was a church-like choral arrangement in a nod to supporters' viewing the sport as akin to a religion.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2025

The problem whose attempted solution has brought such a train of disaster in its wake is an accompaniment of our modern way of life.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson