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

Hayter finished four seconds faster than compatriot Josh Tarling, who was racing just over a week after his younger brother Finlay Tarling was killed after being struck by a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Kygo remixed and released ‘Kygo Jo’ during the World Cup as a promise to his compatriot Haaland, whose fame reached a new level during the World Cup. — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

President Miguel Díaz-Canel read a congratulatory message from Castro to his compatriots at the rally, held in the eastern city of Pinar del Río. — Andrea Rodríguez, Los Angeles Times, 27 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

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