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

Subtlety over secrecy Certain financial situations, such as debt or a lack of financial literacy, can be deal breakers in a romantic partner for some people. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024

Because these marriages took place inside the pandemic bubble, many couples hadn't spent much time with family or friends, or seen how their partners interacted with the world — all things that speak to someone's values and beliefs. —Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024

Verb

Universities in Uruguay have also partnered with blockchain companies to offer learning experiences. —Federico Sendra, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

The 66-year-old rock star has partnered with PETA for a new commercial calling on women’s rights proponents to include animals in their advocacy. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Oct. 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