companion

1 of 3

noun (1)

com·​pan·​ion kəm-ˈpan-yən 

plural companions

often attributive

1

: one that accompanies another : comrade, associate

traveling companions

also : one that keeps company with another

his longtime companion

2

obsolete : rascal

3

a

: one that is closely connected with something similar

The book is a companion to the television series with the same title.

b

: one employed to live with and serve another

We hired a companion for our elderly mother.

4

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

5

: a book, manual, etc., that provides information or advice about a particular subject

a companion to French New Wave cinema

—used in titles

The Gardener's Companion

companion

2 of 3

verb

companioned; companioning; companions

transitive verb

: accompany

Anne sat long at her window that night companioned by a glad content.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

intransitive verb

: to keep company (see company entry 1 sense 1a)

fellows that he'd companioned with many years ago

companion

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a hood covering at the top of a companionway

2

: companionway

Did you know?

History of Companion

You may be a companion to someone without eating with that person, but etymologically you are sharing a meal with them. The word companion ultimately comes from the Latin com- (“with”) and panis (“bread, food”). The ingestible aspect of this word is reminiscent of symposium, which may be traced to the Greek word sympinein, meaning “to drink together.” But just as you may be a companion to someone without eating, you may also attend a symposium without drinking.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• associate
• cohort
• compatriot
• compeer
• comrade
• crony
• fellow
• hobnobber
• mate
• running mate

Verb

• accompany
• attend
• chaperone
• chaperon
• company
• convoy
• escort
• see
• squire

Examples of companion in a Sentence

Verb

movie heroes are often companioned by wisecracking sidekicks

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The last couple of years have seen menswear evolve away from collections designed as companions to women’s lineups into a highly directional category. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2023

In the movie, Phoenix’s character develops a friendship with an advanced artificial-intelligence companion, voiced by Johansson, that eventually deepens into a bizarre love. —Paige Hagy, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023

Good companions for early-flowering bulbs are late-sprouting perennials, so that by the time the bulbs are looking ragged and losing foliage for summer dormancy, the perennial is hiding it with fresh foliage. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023

There's a companion app to self-report your results. —Medea Giordano, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023

Detroit Free Press Dear Amy: A year ago, my mother-in-law’s live-in companion died by suicide. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 6 Sep. 2023

Turns out, your companions aren’t really that into you. —Ash Parrish, The Verge, 5 Sep. 2023

Sauna lakeside with my happiness-seeking companions, or relax on my own. —Melissa Peterson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2023

Employee cards can open the same gate over and over, so companions can also ride for free. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023

Verb

Muti has companioned with many composers throughout his life, but maybe especially with Mozart and Verdi. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 June 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

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

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from Dutch kampanje poop deck

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1622, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing companion

• companion piece
• traveling companion
• canine companion
• companion cell
• constant companion
• boon companion

• companion piece
• traveling companion
• canine companion
• companion cell
• constant companion
• boon companion

Kids Definition

companion

1 of 2 noun

com·​pan·​ion kəm-ˈpan-yən 

1

: one that often accompanies another : comrade

2

a

: one of a pair of matching things

b

: a person employed to live with and serve another

companion

2 of 2 noun

: companionway

Etymology

Noun

Middle English compainoun "companion," from early French cumpaignun (same meaning), from Latin companion-, companio "companion," literally, "one who eats with another," from com- "with, together" and panis "food, bread" — related to accompany, company, pantry