partner

1 of 2

noun

part·​ner ˈpärt-nər 

also

ˈpärd- 

1

a

: one associated with another especially in an action : associate, colleague

our military partners throughout the world

b

: a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple

Evan and his partner are going on a Caribbean cruise.

c

: either of two persons who dance together

d

: one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side

partners in card games

2

: a member of a partnership especially in a business

partners in a law firm

also : such membership

3

: one of the heavy timbers that strengthen a ship's deck to support a mast

—usually plural

4

archaic : one that shares : partaker

partnerless

ˈpärt-nər-ləs 

also ˈpärd-

adjective

partner

2 of 2

verb

partnered; partnering; partners

intransitive verb

: to join as a partner

transitive verb

1

: to join or associate with another as partner

2

: to provide with a partner

Synonyms of partner

Noun

• spouse
• wife
• husband
• significant other

Examples of partner in a Sentence

Noun

His partner, his wife of 20 years, was shocked to hear about his accident.

They are partners in the real estate business.

Singapore's most important trading partner is Indonesia.

She was a senior partner at the Wall Street firm.

We were each assigned a partner for the project.

Verb

The sporting goods store partnered with the newspaper to sponsor the road race.

She partnered with her sister, and they opened a candy shop together.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The shortfall is particularly serious because the United States and European partners are struggling to expand production. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Luke was towed into these large waves by his brother, who also acted as his safety partner, which is essential in these conditions. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

Borowska partnered with Grief, Sweat & Tears to offer that class catering to grieving New Yorkers. — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

The Golden Globes, Artemis Rising Foundation and Think-Film Impact Production first partnered to launch a documentary prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and then expanded the partnership to Venice last year. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English partener, alteration of parcener, from Anglo-French, coparcener — more at parcener

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing partner

• co-partner
• domestic partner
• general partner
• limited partner
• secret partner
• silent partner
• sleeping partner
• sparring partner

Rhymes for partner

• gartner
• copartner

Kids Definition

partner

noun

part·​ner

ˈpärt-nər

1

: one associated in action with another : colleague

2

: either of a couple who dance together

3

: one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side

4

: a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple

5

: a member of a partnership

Legal Definition

partner

noun

part·​ner

: one of two or more persons associated as joint principals in carrying on a business for the purpose of enjoying a joint profit : a member of a partnership

specifically : a partner in a law firm

— dormant partner

: silent partner in this entry

— general partner

: a partner whose liability for partnership debts and obligations is unlimited compare limited partner in this entry

— limited partner

: a partner in a venture who has no management authority and whose liability is limited to the amount of his or her investment compare general partner in this entry

— partner in commendam \ -​in-​kə-​ˈmen-​dəm, -​kō-​ˈmen-​ˌdäm \

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

— silent partner

: a partner who takes no active part in conducting the partnership business but who receives a share of its profits and whose existence is often not made public

called also dormant partner