partnership

noun

part·​ner·​ship ˈpärt-nər-ˌship 

 also  ˈpärd-

1

: the state of being a partner : participation

scientists working in partnership with each other

2

a

: a legal relation existing between two or more persons contractually associated as joint principals in a business

began a legal partnership with his uncle

b

: the persons joined together in a partnership

the partnership computes its net income … in a manner similar to that of an individual

—J. K. Lasser

3

: a relationship resembling a legal partnership and usually involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities

The band has maintained a successful partnership for 10 years.

Synonyms

• collaboration
• relationship
• association
• cooperation
• affiliation
• connection

Examples of partnership in a Sentence

two people joined in partnership

scientists working in partnership with each other

The company is developing a new car in partnership with leading auto manufacturers in Japan.

Their marriage is a partnership that has remained strong despite family illness.

The singing duo has maintained a successful partnership for 20 years.

a notable partnership between two experienced scientists in the field

He joined the partnership last year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Target leans back towards DEI Target last week highlighted its partnership with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs that provides education and other services to Black founders of small businesses. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

And this year, expect more discussions, and concrete dealmaking, around AI and broader technology partnerships, as the forum doubles down on digital infrastructure and data-driven industries. —Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Bloomingdale’s annual philanthropic partnerships include No Kid Hungry, where customers can contribute by rounding up their in-store purchases to the nearest dollar or by adding a donation at online checkout. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025

In what sure felt like an omen to me, earlier this year, DoorDash announced a partnership with the payment-by-installment company Klarna, thereby allowing customers to pay off an order of pad thai over several months. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing partnership

• co-partnership
• limited liability partnership
• limited partnership

Rhymes for partnership

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

partnership

noun

part·​ner·​ship ˈpärt-nər-ˌship 

1

: the state of being a partner

2

: a business organization owned by two or more persons who agree to share the profits and losses

Legal Definition

partnership

noun

part·​ner·​ship

: an association of two or more persons or entities that conduct a business for profit as co-owners see also Uniform Partnership Act compare corporation, joint venture, sole proprietorship

Note: Except in civil law as practiced in Louisiana, where a partnership, like a corporation, is considered a legal person, a partnership is traditionally viewed as an association of individuals rather than as an entity with a separate and independent existence. A partnership cannot exist beyond the lives of the partners. The partners are taxed as individuals and are personally liable for torts and contractual obligations. Each partner is viewed as the other's agent and, traditionally, is jointly and severally liable for the tortious acts of any one of the partners.

— commercial partnership

: trading partnership in this entry

— family limited partnership

: a limited partnership in which the partners are members of a family

— family partnership

: a partnership in which the partners are members of a family

— general partnership

: a partnership in which each partner is liable for all partnership debts and obligations in full regardless of the amount of the individual partner's capital contribution compare limited partnership in this entry

— limited liability partnership

: a partnership formed under applicable state statute in which the partnership is liable as an entity for debts and obligations and the partners are not liable personally

— limited partnership

: a partnership in which the business is managed by one or more general partners and is provided with capital by limited partners who do not participate in management but who share in profits and whose individual liability is limited to the amount of their respective capital contributions compare general partnership in this entry

— master limited partnership

: a limited partnership that offers interests for sale on the market

also : the interests themselves sold as securities

— mining partnership

: a partnership in which two or more persons jointly own a mining claim and actually engage in extracting minerals with the purpose of sharing profits and losses

— nontrading partnership

: a partnership that is not engaged in the buying and selling of goods

called also non-commercial partnership

compare trading partnership in this entry

— partnership at will

: a partnership whose duration is not fixed by contract and that is terminable at will by any partner

— partnership by estoppel

: a partnership created by operation of law when a defendant by words or conduct represents himself or herself to the plaintiff or to the public as a partner and the plaintiff relies on the representation to his or her detriment

— partnership in commendam

in the civil law of Louisiana : limited partnership in this entry

— trading partnership

: a partnership whose business involves the buying and selling of goods

called also commercial partnership

compare nontrading partnership in this entry