companion

¹com·pan·ion

noun, often attributive \kəm-ˈpan-yən\

Definition of COMPANION

1

: one that accompanies another : comrade, associate; also : one that keeps company with another

2

obsolete : rascal

3

a : one that is closely connected with something similar

b : one employed to live with and serve another

4

: a celestial body that appears close to another but that may or may not be associated with it in space

Origin of COMPANION

Middle English compainoun, from Anglo-French cumpaing, cumpaignun, from Late Latin companion-, companio, from Latin com- + panis bread, food — more at food

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with COMPANION

Black Canyon, Grand Canyon

²companion

verb

Definition of COMPANION

transitive verb

: accompany

intransitive verb

: to keep company

Examples of COMPANION

1. <movie heroes are often companioned by wisecracking sidekicks>

First Known Use of COMPANION

1622

Related to COMPANION

Synonyms

attend, chaperone (or chaperon), accompany, company, convoy, escort, see, squire

Related Words

walk; associate, consort, pal (around), team (up); defend, guard, protect; bring, conduct, guide, lead, pilot, steer, usher; follow, shadow, tag, tag along, tail; hang (around), hover (over)

Near Antonyms

abandon, desert, ditch, dump, forsake

³companion

noun

Definition of COMPANION

1

: a hood covering at the top of a companionway

2

: companionway

Origin of COMPANION

by folk etymology from Dutch kampanje poop deck

First Known Use: 1762