compatriot

noun

com·​pa·​tri·​ot kəm-ˈpā-trē-ət 

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 

ˌkäm-

chiefly British -ˌpa-

adjective

Synonyms of compatriot

• countryman
• citizen
• national

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

The 24-year-old Frenchman finished third overall, behind his much older compatriot Jean-Christophe Peraud, and secured the white jersey for the best young rider. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026

On the other end, Unai Simón faced even less pressure from the Argentina attack, as Spain’s strong defense continued against Lionel Messi and his compatriots. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

In 2010, Germany’s Thomas Müller won with only five, just as his compatriot Miroslav Klose won with five in 2006. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

The first director to receive the award was Amalie Maria Nielsen of Denmark, followed by her compatriot William Sehested Høeg in 2024. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 July 2026

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

Rhymes for compatriot

• patriot

Kids Definition

compatriot

noun

com·​pa·​tri·​ot kəm-ˈpā-trē-ət 

käm-, 

-trē-ˌät

: a person from one's own country : countryman