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 of accompaniment

• complement
• companion
• attendant
• concomitant
• incident
• corollary
• obbligato
• consequence
• adjunct

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

Formal afternoon tea is served, too, with the savory and sweet accompaniments prepared through an Indonesian lens. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Using projections and mapping technology, a light show displaying famous art works and abstract visuals sets a backdrop for musical accompaniment by an orchestra and choir, alongside narration sharing history about Sacramento and the cathedral. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

With a soprano voice that’s sharp but never shrill, O’Donovan can levitate a heartfelt melody over just about any kind of accompaniment. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

This is a film that makes clear that music isn’t just an accompaniment in the background of a film but a narrative device. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

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

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