friendship

noun

friend·​ship ˈfren(d)-ˌship 

1

: the state of being friends

They have a long-standing friendship.

2

: the quality or state of being friendly : friendliness

the friendship shown him by his coworkers

3

obsolete : aid

Synonyms of friendship

• generosity
• brotherhood
• amity
• cordiality
• goodwill
• friendliness
• neighborliness
• kindness
• good-fellowship
• benevolence
• fellowship
• kindliness
• community
• companionship

Examples of friendship in a Sentence

a friendship between two countries

They have enjoyed many years of friendship.

He was encouraged by the friendship his coworkers showed him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dream Boats, directed by Zach Thompson and supported by Free Fly, follows two chefs rowing across the Atlantic in a test of endurance, friendship, and purpose. —Jordan P. Kelley, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Bassett played Bernadine in the 1995 movie about female friendship that costarred Whitney Houston. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026

The text messages and other documents also reveal growing tensions in the women’s decade-long friendship, which reportedly cooled last year over Swift’s concerns that she would be dragged into Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni and could be subpoenaed to testify in a deposition or in court. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

One of the most unexpected gifts of retirement was more space for real friendship. —Erica Chidi, SELF, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see friend entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing friendship

• betray someone's friendship

Kids Definition

friendship

noun

friend·​ship ˈfren(d)-ˌship 

: the state of being friends