accompany

verb

ac·​com·​pa·​ny ə-ˈkəmp-nē How to pronounce accompany (audio)
-ˈkämp-;
-ˈkəm-pə-,
-ˈkäm- How to pronounce accompany (audio)
accompanied; accompanying

transitive verb

1
: to go with as an associate or companion
She accompanied me to the store.
2
: to perform an accompaniment to or for
He will be accompanying her on the piano.
3
a
: to cause to be in association
accompanied their advice with a warning
b
: to be in association with
the pictures that accompany the text

intransitive verb

music : to perform an accompaniment

Examples of accompany in a Sentence

She will accompany me to the store. Ten adults accompanied the class on their field trip. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see this movie. A delicious sauce accompanied the grilled fish. He will be accompanying her on the piano.
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.
The black paint on accompanying bicycle pumps also exceeded federal lead limits for paint. MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 He was accompanied on his visit by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, members of his Cabinet and other Texas lawmakers. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 July 2025 Ingrid accompanied him to draft night in New York and on his first tour of the Bulls facility, also joining him and the team on a private cruise of the Chicago River and lakefront. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025 Weber’s music accompanies a story about love, hunting and a deal with the devil gone awry. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for accompany

Word History

Etymology

Middle English accompanien "to make (someone) a companion or associate, be in company with, attend," borrowed from Anglo-French acumpainer, acompaigner "to join together, frequent, keep the company of," from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + cumpaing, cumpaignun companion entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accompany was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Accompany.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accompany. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

accompany

verb
ac·​com·​pa·​ny ə-ˈkəmp-(ə-)nē How to pronounce accompany (audio)
accompanied; accompanying
1
: to go with or attend as a companion
2
: to perform an accompaniment to or for
3
: to occur at the same time as or along with
a thunderstorm accompanied by high winds
Etymology

Middle English accompanien "to accompany," from early French acompaigner (same meaning), from a- "to" and cumpaing "companion," from Latin companio "companion" — related to companion, company

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