compatriot

noun

com·​pa·​tri·​ot kəm-ˈpā-trē-ət 

käm-,

-trē-ˌät,

 chiefly British  -ˈpa-

1

: a person born, residing, or holding citizenship in the same country as another

We watched our compatriots compete in the Olympics.

2

: companion, colleague

her compatriots in academia

theater compatriots

compatriotic

kəm-ˌpā-trē-ˈä-tik 

ˌkäm-

 chiefly British  -ˌpa-

adjective

Synonyms

• countryman
• citizen
• national

Examples of compatriot in a Sentence

We watched our compatriots compete in the Olympics.

the famous actor and his theater compatriots

Recent Examples on the Web

Lohan ably matches Curtis’ vim and vigor, and a pair of young stars give them a serious run for their money as their body-switching compatriots. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2025

Ye initially stood by Hua during the first assault on his leadership, which was launched immediately after Mao’s death by Mao’s wife and three radical compatriots known as the Gang of Four. —Tyler Jost, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025

Their compatriots in Illinois planned a media event on Monday near Chicago. —Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Aug. 2025

As Korda, a former Olympic champion and two-time major winner, teed off shortly after 8.30 a.m. on Friday alongside compatriot Angel Yin and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, there was a sizable crowd already gathered, ready to follow every shot. —Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French compatriote, from Late Latin compatriota, from Latin com- + Late Latin patriota fellow countryman — more at patriot

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for compatriot

• patriot

Kids Definition

compatriot

noun

com·​pa·​tri·​ot kəm-ˈpā-trē-ət 

käm-,

-trē-ˌät

: a person from one's own country : countryman