partner

1 of 2

noun

part·​ner ˈpärt-nər How to pronounce partner (audio)
also
ˈpärd- How to pronounce partner (audio)
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 used in plural
4
archaic : one that shares : partaker
partnerless
ˈpärt-nər-ləs How to pronounce partner (audio)
 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

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
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.
Noun
Starting with the new year, LVMH will be F1’s largest global partner, according to Maffei. Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 23 Nov. 2024 Customers value partners who not only deliver results but do so consistently and predictably over time. Pascal Yammine, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
After a summer of live Musicians on Musicians satellite events in Chicago and Miami, Sonesta International Hotels partnered with Rolling Stone to present the evening’s program at the Apollo. Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024 This year, the five-star hotel partnered with the toy store Hamleys to curate a magical family-friendly experience, complete with a festive children’s afternoon tea inspired by historic toys and, as part of the package, a Christmas tree in your suite. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for partner 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of partner was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near partner

Cite this Entry

“Partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partner. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on partner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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