partner

1 of 2

noun

part·​ner ˈpärt-nər 

also

ˈpärd- 

1

a

: one associated with another especially in an action : associate, colleague

our military partners throughout the world

b

: a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple

Evan and his partner are going on a Caribbean cruise.

c

: either of two persons who dance together

d

: one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side

partners in card games

2

: a member of a partnership especially in a business

partners in a law firm

also : such membership

3

: one of the heavy timbers that strengthen a ship's deck to support a mast

—usually used in plural

4

archaic : one that shares : partaker

partnerless

ˈpärt-nər-ləs 

 also  ˈpärd-

adjective

partner

2 of 2

verb

partnered; partnering; partners

intransitive verb

: to join as a partner

transitive verb

1

: to join or associate with another as partner

2

: to provide with a partner

Synonyms

Noun

• better half
• consort
• mate
• significant other
• spouse

Examples of partner in a Sentence

Noun

His partner, his wife of 20 years, was shocked to hear about his accident.

They are partners in the real estate business.

Singapore's most important trading partner is Indonesia.

She was a senior partner at the Wall Street firm.

We were each assigned a partner for the project.

Verb

The sporting goods store partnered with the newspaper to sponsor the road race.

She partnered with her sister, and they opened a candy shop together.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Its robust and layered profile makes Amarone a natural partner for hearty dishes. —Paul Caputo, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

This show of strength and vulnerability for his life partner — whose forlorn expression embodied her family’s uncertain future — would serve as Napier’s north star with his program. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024

Verb

We're honored to partner with Icelandair to offer our passengers more international travel options and further solidify Nashville's position as a global destination. —Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Cooper, herself a Newbery Medal winner, partnered with Caldecott-honor illustrator Carson Ellis to bring its colorful imagery and wintry atmospherics to life. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English partener, alteration of parcener, from Anglo-French, coparcener — more at parcener

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing partner

• co-partner
• domestic partner
• general partner
• limited partner
• secret partner
• silent partner
• sleeping partner
• sparring partner

Kids Definition

partner

noun

part·​ner

ˈpärt-nər

1

: one associated in action with another : colleague

2

: either of a couple who dance together

3

: one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side

4

: a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple

5

: a member of a partnership

Legal Definition

partner

noun

part·​ner

: one of two or more persons associated as joint principals in carrying on a business for the purpose of enjoying a joint profit : a member of a partnership

specifically : a partner in a law firm

— dormant partner

: silent partner in this entry

— general partner

: a partner whose liability for partnership debts and obligations is unlimited compare limited partner in this entry

— limited partner

: a partner in a venture who has no management authority and whose liability is limited to the amount of his or her investment compare general partner in this entry

— partner in commendam \ -​in-​kə-​ˈmen-​dəm, -​kō-​ˈmen-​ˌdäm \

in the civil law of Louisiana : limited partner in this entry

— silent partner

: a partner who takes no active part in conducting the partnership business but who receives a share of its profits and whose existence is often not made public

called also dormant partner