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

Drug Church usually drop songs about down-on-their luck kids, blue collar strivers, and jealous folks intent on dragging their compatriots down. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026

This year marks 10 years since his compatriot Alejandro Aravena became the first Chilean to win the Pritzker Prize. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026

Fritz faces compatriot Alex Michelsen on Monday for a spot in the fourth round. —Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

My dear compatriots, Decisive moments lie before us. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 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