partake

verb

par·​take pär-ˈtāk How to pronounce partake (audio)
pər-
partook pär-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce partake (audio)
pər-
; partaken pär-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce partake (audio)
pər-
; partaking

intransitive verb

1
: to take part in or experience something along with others
partake in the revelry
partake of the good life
2
: to have a portion (as of food or drink)
were invited to partake of a dinner
3
: to possess or share a certain nature or attribute
the experience partakes of a mystical quality
partake in each other's sorrows and joys

transitive verb

: to take part in
adventurers who were willing to partake his fortunesA. W. Kinglake
partaker noun
Choose the Right Synonym for partake

share, participate, partake mean to have, get, or use in common with another or others.

share usually implies that one as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing.

shared my toys with the others

participate implies a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity, or discussion.

participated in sports

partake implies accepting or acquiring a share especially of food or drink.

partook freely of the refreshments

Examples of partake in a Sentence

a story that partakes of the nature of poetry we should all partake of the city's rich cultural offerings while we have the opportunity
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Spooky celebrators get to partake in Halloween festivities on a Friday this year, offering a change of pace from years past when the holiday falls before a work or school day. Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025 There are many ways to partake in Samhain. Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025 The World's Tallest Glass Tree Festival returns to Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay this December, inviting tens of thousands of visitors from Wisconsin and Illinois and beyond to partake in the creation of a 36-foot glass Christmas tree made from molten, recycled glass. Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025 There are many other Día de los Muertos celebrations in the coming days, though a large gathering isn’t necessary to partake in the spirit of the holiday. Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for partake

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from partaker, alteration of part taker

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of partake was in 1561

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Partake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partake. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

partake

verb
par·​take pär-ˈtāk How to pronounce partake (audio)
pər-
partook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce partake (audio) ; partaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce partake (audio) ; partaking
1
a
: to take a share or part
partake of a meal
b
: to take part in something
all may partake in the ceremony
2
: to have some of the qualities of something
the story partook of the nature of drama
partaker noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!