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

The theater’s programming slate will be expanded, with late night Friday and Saturday night screenings, children’s matinees, and regular silent film programming with live organ accompaniment coming in 2026. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2025

Star Wars Luke Skywalker X-Wing Mech The perfect accompaniment to other Star Wars Lego sets, this Luke Skywalker mech suit build provides everything builders ages 6 and up need to go to battle. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

Or the 13-year-old looking for a light accompaniment to their J’Adore. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

Call in the whole grains gang In accompaniments calling for refined grains, swap in whole-grain alternatives. —Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025

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