partner

1 of 2

noun

part·​ner ˈpärt-nər How to pronounce partner (audio)
also
ˈpärd- How to pronounce partner (audio)
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 How to pronounce partner (audio)
 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

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
On billboards and banners around rural Jalisco, berry companies offer potential hires savings plans, social security, signing bonuses and a new incentive: temporary visas to work at partner firms in the United States during their harvest seasons, at much higher salaries. Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 Deters told community members at the North College Hill council meeting on March 18 that the city worked to resolve these two issues, the special revenue fund and time sheets for part-time employees, Enquirer media partner Fox19 reported. The Enquirer, 23 Mar. 2024 There will be a no-host brunch and discussion group for people with Parkinson’s disease and care partners. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 And there are questions facing the person who hired Hernandez. Concerns over a conflict of interest have persisted for Noriega since January, when Herald news partner WLRN reported that the city had contracts worth over $440,000 with Pradere. Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 Matriarch Kris Jenner, who was accompanied by partner Corey Gamble, swung in the opposite color direction, choosing a white tux, albeit with black lapels and trim that matched her daughters' aesthetics. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 In 2018, the business partners opened a barbecue trailer in Fort Worth. Jenny Rudolph, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024 YouTube vlogger Ruby Franke, business partner Jodi Hildebrandt sentenced in child abuse case That camera video is just one piece of evidence that was released by the Washington County Attorney's office today. Samantha Wanderer, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 They were introduced with a moving speech by Elton John’s longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. Thania Garcia, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
In fact, being able to have the best binge-watching experience possible is one of the reasons both Shannon and Meadows decided to partner with the innovate technology brand in the first place. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 Last year, Global Payments sold the consumer business of Netspend to its original founders, who partnered with Searchlight Capital Partners, Fortune reported. Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 The network aims to bolster education in the semiconductor industry and partnered with 13 universities including Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Montana State, the University of Utah, Boise State and the University of Idaho. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024 Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines and textile brand Loloi partnered in a new drop of rugs and throw pillows that features the warm, earthy palettes so many of us crave in our homes. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024 Additionally, the agency has announced multiple internal promotions over the past year, including elevating 14 agents to partner. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Earlier this month it was announced that Wu-Tang producer and rapper the RZA was partnering with Ballantine’s on 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition, a blended scotch aged for seven years and finished in American oak casks. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 Another fun feature is the Bobby Hotel's Dog-In-Residence Program, in which the hotel has partnered with the Nashville Humane Society to adopt dogs, train them to be emotional support animals through a stint as a hotel representative, then donate them to veterans in need. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2024 Emmy-winning costume designer Alix Friedberg (who worked with Dern on Big Little Lies) speaks with THR about sourcing thousands of vintage looks and partnering with The RealReal on a curation of over 600 apparel and accessories pieces that mirror the Palm Royale aesthetic. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'partner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of partner was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near partner

Cite this Entry

“Partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partner. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on partner

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