English Reference
noun

partnership

n.
US /ˈpɑɹtnɝˌʃɪp/ UK /pˈɑːtnəʃˌɪp/ part·ner·ship UK spelling partnerships

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    the state of being partners or working together on a project.

    the state of being associated with a partner in a collaborative effort. Often uncountable in this abstract sense.

    Simple

    The two charities formed a partnership to help homeless people in the city.

    In context

    The success of the project was largely due to the close partnership between the local government and private developers.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    a legal type of business where two or more people own and run it together.

    a legal relationship or business entity formed by two or more individuals or organisations to conduct trade or business.

    Simple

    After working together for years, the two lawyers decided to start a partnership.

    In context

    The partners are personally liable for the debts of the partnership unless they have registered as a limited liability entity.

    sole proprietorship
  3. 03 C1 Advanced British English Sport

    the time when two players are batting together and the runs they score.

    the period during which two specific batsmen are batting together, or the total number of runs scored during that interval.

    Simple

    Their hundred-run partnership helped the team win the match.

    In context

    The opening partnership proved vital, frustrating the bowlers for over two hours and providing a solid foundation for the middle order.

    Usage

    Commonly used with numerical modifiers like 'opening partnership' or 'record partnership'.

No reason was given for the end of the partnership - which saw the haircare brand supplying professional hairstylists and hair products to participating artists.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was not-out 32 at the close after being dropped by Cameron Green on the last ball of the day, with Hasan Mahmud alongside him on 13 after a gritty 40-run partnership.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

From partner + -ship. Cognate with Danish partnerskab, Dutch partnerschap, German Partnerschaft, Norwegian Bokmål partnerskap, Norwegian Nynorsk partnerskap, Swedish partnerskap, and West Frisian partnerskip.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated