accompaniment

noun

ac·​com·​pa·​ni·​ment ə-ˈkəm-pə-nē-mənt 

-ˈkəmp-nē-

1

music : an instrumental or vocal part designed to support or complement a melody

sang the song with a piano accompaniment

2

a

: an addition (such as an ornament) intended to give completeness or symmetry to something : complement

a tie that's a nice accompaniment to his new suit

b

: an accompanying situation or occurrence : concomitant

studied Italian as an accompaniment to her art history class

accompanimental

ə-ˌkəm-pə-nē-ˈmen-tᵊl 

-ˌkəmp-nē-

adjective

Synonyms

• attendant
• companion
• concomitant
• corollary
• incident
• obbligato

Examples of accompaniment in a Sentence

She sings without musical accompaniment.

A nice tie was a fine accompaniment to his new suit.

This dish can be served as an accompaniment to most meat main dishes.

This wine is a good accompaniment for spicy foods.

She studied Italian as an accompaniment to her classes in art history.

Recent Examples on the Web

Now Google is giving some YouTube Shorts creators an AI feature called Dream Track that can generate songs, including lyrics, melody, and accompaniment, in the styles of seven different artists including Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato, Sia, and T-Pain with a tool called Dream Track. —WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023

The dance, though, needs more incisive accompaniment. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023

One by one, the server adds these accompaniments into your bowl and then beats in a raw egg, sardines and a drizzle of mezcal. —Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023

Cocktail Pairing: White Russian A smooth and irrepressible mixture of vodka, cream, and coffee liqueur, the White Russian is a slightly ironic, seriously delicious accompaniment to the chocolate in a mousse without being too redundant (like a chocolate martini) or too soft (like a grasshopper). —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023

Number Per Set: One Best for Christmas The Holiday Isle Gold/White Ragan Napkin Ring View On Wayfair These napkin rings will add a festive flair to your Christmas napkins, and the working bells are a perfect accompaniment for singing Christmas carols. —Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2023

The screening of classic horror films with live musical accompaniment has become a real local seasonal highlight. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023

The new version of the song features Grant weaving her vocals into the tune, offering the perfect accompaniment to Asbury’s words and music. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2023

The 1926 film will be screened Saturday at 6 p.m. somewhat ironically at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley with 1927 Wurlitzer organ accompaniment by Rosemary Trinity Presbyterian Church’s 1927 Wurlitzer organ. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

accompany + -ment, on the model of French accompagnement, going back to Old French acompaignement "feudal power-sharing contract," derivative of acompaigner "to accompany"

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accompaniment

• to the accompaniment of

• to the accompaniment of

Kids Definition

accompaniment

noun

ac·​com·​pa·​ni·​ment ə-ˈkəmp-(ə-)nē-mənt 

1

: music played along with a solo part to enrich it

2

: an accompanying object, situation, or event