companionship

[kuhm-pan-yuhn-ship]

noun

1. association as companion; fellowship.

2. Printing.,  a group of compositors working under a foreman.

Word History and Origins

Origin of companionship¹

First recorded in 1540–50; companion ¹ + -ship

Example Sentences

The tale of Sydney, a rescue dog who provided solace and companionship for evacuees from the Eaton fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Our love for animals runs so deep, and our need for their companionship is so strong, we’ll pay for it by the hour.

From Salon

Organizers hired chefs, bartenders and women who provided what prosecutors described as “companionship.”

From Los Angeles Times

Having been forced to make peace with our own company, more people are finding their own companionship preferable to that of others, especially on vacation.

From Salon

Gershman also allegedly hired young women to serve drinks, provide massages and offer “companionship” to players, according to the indictment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• camaraderie 
• togetherness 

When To Use

What does companionship mean?

Companionship is the state of spending time with someone or having someone to spend time with—the state of having a companion or being someone’s companion.A companion is a person who frequently spends time with you, associates with you, or accompanies you when you go places. Companionship is similar to friendship, and a person one calls a companion is usually their friend or romantic partner. But the word companionship specifically implies that a lot of time is spent in each other’s company.The word commonly applies to relationships between people, but pets can also provide companionship.Example: People make fun of older people for using dating sites, but the truth is that a lot of them are just lonely and looking for companionship.