compatriot

noun

com·​pa·​tri·​ot kəm-ˈpā-trē-ət How to pronounce compatriot (audio)
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 How to pronounce compatriot (audio)
ˌkäm-
 chiefly British  -ˌpa-
adjective

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 Indians from the country’s vast northeast region, which borders China, Bangladesh and Myanmar, may appear more east Asian than their compatriots elsewhere. Diksha Madhok, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Ba, 40, was deported from the U.S. with 131 compatriots in September after two months in detention, but thousands of other Senegalese have gained a foothold in America. Baba Ahmed, Quartz, 2 Mar. 2024 For the last 16 first leg clash at RB Leipzig Tuesday night, Rodrygo will partner compatriot Vinicius Jr. up front. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, Kander and his compatriots scrambled to secure a different way out, and found it. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2024 The band was also a pivotal influence on Detroit compatriot George Clinton, who fused the band's spirit into his Funkadelic work in the ‘70s. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 3 Feb. 2024 Stevenson also brought Thor's Asgardian compatriot Volstagg to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2024 Rick’s compatriots in the CRM, Okafor (Craig Tate) and Thorne (Lesley-Ann Brandt), are excellent foils for his particular brand of hard-headedness. Jessica Liese, Variety, 14 Feb. 2024 Last week, del Solar’s Chilean compatriot Joaquin Niemann shot a 12-under 59 at the LIV Golf season opener in Mayakoba, Mexico, carding an eagle and 10 birdies. Jack Bantock, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compatriot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of compatriot was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near compatriot

Cite this Entry

“Compatriot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compatriot. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compatriot

noun
com·​pa·​tri·​ot kəm-ˈpā-trē-ət How to pronounce compatriot (audio)
käm-,
-trē-ˌät
: a person from one's own country : countryman

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