companion

¹

[ kuhm-pan-yuhn ]

noun

1. a person who is frequently in the company of, associates with, or accompanies another:

   my son and his two companions.

   Synonyms: mate, partner, comrade, associate

2. a person employed to accompany, assist, or live with another in the capacity of a helpful friend.
3. a mate or match for something:

   White wine is the usual companion of fish.

4. a handbook or guide:

   a bird watcher's companion.

5. a member of the lowest rank in an order of knighthood or of a grade in an order.
6. Also called companion star, comes. Astronomy. the fainter of the two stars that constitute a double star. Compare primary ( def 19b ).
7. Obsolete. a fellow.

verb (used with object)

1. to be a companion to; accompany.

companion

²

[ kuhm-pan-yuhn ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a covering over the top of a companionway.
2. a companionway.

companion

¹

/ kəmˈpænjən /

noun

1. nautical
   1. a raised frame on an upper deck with windows to give light to the deck below
   2. ( as modifier )

      a companion ladder

companion

²

/ kəmˈpænjən /

noun

1. a person who is an associate of another or others; comrade
2. (esp formerly) an employee, usually a woman, who provides company for an employer, esp an elderly woman
3. 1. one of a pair; match
   2. ( as modifier )

      a companion volume

4. a guidebook or handbook
5. a member of the lowest rank of any of certain orders of knighthood
6. astronomy the fainter of the two components of a double star

verb

1. tr to accompany or be a companion to

Derived Forms

• comˈpanionless, adjective

Other Words From

• com·panion·less adjective
• uncom·panioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of companion¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English compainoun, from Anglo-French; Old French compaignon, from Late Latin compāniōn- (stem of compāniō ) “messmate,” equivalent to com- “with, together” + pān(is) “bread” + -iōn- noun suffix; presumably as translation of a Germanic word; compare Gothic gahlaiba, Old High German galeipo; com-, -ion

Origin of companion²

First recorded in 1730–40; alteration of Dutch kampanje “quarterdeck,” possibly from Italian compagna “pantry (of a ship)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of companion¹

C18: from Dutch kompanje quarterdeck, from Old French compagne, from Old Italian compagna pantry, perhaps ultimately from Latin pānis bread

Origin of companion²

C13: from Late Latin compāniō, literally: one who eats bread with another, from Latin com- with + pānis bread

Synonym Study

See acquaintance.

Example Sentences

In reality, as Det Con Sheban describes him: "McDonald is a serial scammer who routinely preys on women who are just trying to find a life companion."

From BBC

He might dismiss Guillermo, the household’s human companion, as worthless, but when old Gizmo needed to trust someone with a potentially deadly secret, Laszlo kept it for him.

From Salon

Her companion, who wasn’t voting, said she’d choose Trump if she were to cast a ballot but couldn't say why other than, “It’s just where I’m from.”

From Salon

If Nov. 5 ends up representing the grand finale for American democracy – then “Election Night” will be remembered as that weird companion holding our hands as the first flashes went off on the distant horizon.

From Salon

In early returns, voters also were supporting a companion measure, Charter Amendment LL, which would put independent redistricting in place at the Los Angeles Unified School District.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplice
• aide
• ally
• assistant
• associate
• buddy
• co-worker
• colleague
• comrade
• cousin
• crony
• guide
• mate
• nurse
• partner
• playmate
• protector