partner

[ pahrt-ner ]

noun

1. a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate.

   Synonyms: accomplice, accessory, colleague

2. Law.
   1. a person associated with another or others as a principal or a contributor of capital in a business or a joint venture, usually sharing its risks and profits.
   2. special partner.
3. silent partner.
4. a spouse; a husband or a wife.
5. the person with whom one cohabits in a romantic relationship:

   I'd like you to meet my partner, Sarah.

6. either of two people who dance together:

   my favorite partner in the waltz.

7. a player on the same side or team as another:

   My tennis partner was an excellent player.

8. partners, Nautical. a framework of timber round a hole in a ship's deck, to support a mast, capstan, pump, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to associate as a partner or partners with.
2. to serve as the partner of.

partner

/ ˈpɑːtnə /

noun

1. an ally or companion

   a partner in crime

2. a member of a partnership
3. one of a pair of dancers or players on the same side in a game

   my bridge partner

4. either member of a couple in a relationship

verb

1. to be or cause to be a partner (of)

Derived Forms

• ˈpartnerless, adjective

Other Words From

• partner·less adjective
• non·partner noun
• under·partner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of partner¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English partener, alteration of parcener by association with part

Word History and Origins

Origin of partner¹

C14: variant (influenced by part ) of parcener

Example Sentences

While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners.

From Los Angeles Times

She and her partner took time off work and slept in their car for two weeks to stay in the area where the dog was lost rather than returning to their home in El Sereno.

From Los Angeles Times

Arias, in an interview, said he was concerned about partnering with a private developer.

From Los Angeles Times

There are five integrated care boards providing fertility services and, at present, most policies require that neither partner has living children.

From BBC

"We often get partners at odds with each other because men have disappeared up the aisle and are buying things they maybe already have," he told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• ally
• associate
• colleague
• companion
• friend
• husband
• participant
• spouse
• wife