partners

Noun

partner (plural partners)

1. Either of a pair of people or things that belong together.
2. Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
   • business partner
   1. A member of a business or law partnership.
      • He Suſpends on theſe Reaſons, that Thomas Rue had granted a general Diſcharge to Adam Muſhet, who was his Conjunct, and correus debendi, after the alleadged Service, which Diſcharged Muſhet, and conſequently Houstoun his Partner.1668 July 3, James Dalrymple, “Thomas Rue contra Andrew Houſtoun” in The Deciſions of the Lords of Council & Seſſion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 548
   2. A spouse or other person with whom one shares a domestic, romantic, or sexual bond.
      • New guidance on how to prosecute abusive partners for controlling and coercive behaviour has highlighted the phenomenon of love-bombing, a tactic used by suspects to confuse victims and gain more control.2023 April 23, Amelia Gentleman, “CPS includes ‘love-bombing’ in guidance on abusive partners prosecution”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 24 Dec 2025
   3. Someone with whom one dances in a two-person dance.
      • He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance.[…]But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […].1909 September 9, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], chapter I, in The Squire’s Daughter, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC
   4. Someone with whom one plays on the same side in a game, such as card games or doubles tennis.

See all 11 meanings of partner