companion

1 of 3

noun (1)

com·​pan·​ion kəm-ˈpan-yən 

plural companions

often attributive

1

: one that accompanies another : comrade, associate

traveling companions

also : one that keeps company with another

his longtime companion

2

obsolete : rascal

3

a

: one that is closely connected with something similar

The book is a companion to the television series with the same title.

b

: one employed to live with and serve another

We hired a companion for our elderly mother.

4

: a celestial body that appears close to another but that may or may not be associated with it in space

5

: a book, manual, etc., that provides information or advice about a particular subject

a companion to French New Wave cinema

—used in titles

The Gardener's Companion

companion

2 of 3

verb

companioned; companioning; companions

transitive verb

: accompany

Anne sat long at her window that night companioned by a glad content.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

intransitive verb

: to keep company (see company entry 1 sense 1a)

fellows that he'd companioned with many years ago

companion

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a hood covering at the top of a companionway

2

: companionway

Did you know?

History of Companion

You may be a companion to someone without eating with that person, but etymologically you are sharing a meal with them. The word companion ultimately comes from the Latin com- (“with”) and panis (“bread, food”). The ingestible aspect of this word is reminiscent of symposium, which may be traced to the Greek word sympinein, meaning “to drink together.” But just as you may be a companion to someone without eating, you may also attend a symposium without drinking.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• associate
• cohort
• compatriot
• compeer
• comrade
• crony
• fellow
• hobnobber
• mate
• running mate

Verb

• accompany
• attend
• chaperone
• chaperon
• company
• convoy
• escort
• see
• squire

Examples of companion in a Sentence

Verb

movie heroes are often companioned by wisecracking sidekicks

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In January, rumors swirled that Gibson, who made her debut as companion Ruby Sunday in the sci-fi show’s Christmas special, would not be returning for Season 2 after Gatwa was spotted filming with Sethu. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

The speaker's outdoor-ready design is another point in its favor, though a limited companion app and short battery life are drawbacks. —PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, the companion bill to the one the state Senate approved Tuesday had stalled in the state House last year after the expulsion of two Black lawmakers for advocating for gun control reforms on the House floor; both were quickly reinstated. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

Kyivstar’s companion had left him behind and was walking there alone. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

But it won’t be joined by a companion measure that would reinstate the auditor’s ability to issue subpoenas when auditing city contractors or partner agencies. —Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Public dollars will blunt construction impact Construction on the Brent Spence Bridge companion structure will be under way next year, with some preliminary work possible this year. —The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024

The scientists determined this thanks to a quirk of neutron star binaries, which are systems where neutron stars and companion stars orbit each other. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024

Arizona Republic Every year, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. —The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024

Verb

Muti has companioned with many composers throughout his life, but maybe especially with Mozart and Verdi. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English compainoun, from Anglo-French cumpaing, cumpaignun, from Late Latin companion-, companio, from Latin com- + panis bread, food — more at food

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from Dutch kampanje poop deck

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1622, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing companion

• boon companion
• constant companion
• canine companion
• companion piece
• traveling companion
• companion cell

Kids Definition

companion

1 of 2 noun

com·​pan·​ion kəm-ˈpan-yən 

1

: one that often accompanies another : comrade

2

a

: one of a pair of matching things

b

: a person employed to live with and serve another

companion

2 of 2 noun

: companionway

Etymology

Noun

Middle English compainoun "companion," from early French cumpaignun (same meaning), from Latin companion-, companio "companion," literally, "one who eats with another," from com- "with, together" and panis "food, bread" — related to accompany, company, pantry