partners

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

part•ner /ˈpɑrtnɚ/   n. [countable]

1. one who is associated with another;
   an associate:
   his partner in crime.
2. Law one of two or more persons who have a business and share in the risks and profits:
   My business partners think your company is a good investment.
3. a husband, wife, or lover:
   If you or your partner is infected with the HIV virus, contact a doctor at once.
4. either of two people who dance together, etc.:
   an ice-skating partner.

part•ner•ship, n. 

[uncountable] promises of partnership.

[countable] a partnership in the new company.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

part•ner  (pärt′nər), n. 

1. a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor;
   sharer;
   associate.
2. Law
   • a person associated with another or others as a principal or a contributor of capital in a business or a joint venture, usually sharing its risks and profits.
   • See special partner. 
3. See silent partner. 
4. a husband or a wife;
   spouse.
5. either of two people who dance together:
   my favorite partner in the waltz.
6. a player on the same side or team as another:
   My tennis partner was an excellent player.
7. Nautical, Naval Terms partners, a framework of timber round a hole in a ship's deck, to support a mast, capstan, pump, etc.

v.t. 

8. to associate as a partner or partners with.
9. to serve as the partner of.

• Middle English partener, alteration of parcener by association with part 1250–1300

part′ner•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. colleague, accessory, accomplice.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

partner / ˈpɑːtnə/ noun

1. an ally or companion: a partner in crime
2. a member of a partnership
3. one of a pair of dancers or players on the same side in a game: my bridge partner
4. either member of a couple in a relationship

verb

1. to be or cause to be a partner (of)

Etymology: 14th Century: variant (influenced by part) of parcener