Words / B2

PAHTN-uh-ship/ˈpɑːtnəʃɪp/

A partnership is two sides working together: a partnership between, in partnership with, a business partnership (a legal firm structure). Collaboration is a close twin; alliance is often political or military. Partner is the person/organisation. In speech, working together is enough. Do not call a one-off purchase a partnership, and in UK law a partnership is a specific way of owning a firm (contrast limited company).

Meaning

A relationship in which two people or organisations work together; also a type of business.

Examples

• “The university formed a partnership with a local hospital.”
• “The university runs the clinic in partnership with the NHS trust.”
• “They dissolved the partnership after the audit, which is the legal-firm sense.”

Good to know

in partnership with; a partnership between. Close: collaboration. Political/military: alliance. Legal UK: a type of firm. Not a one-off sale.

Near in meaning

collaboration

New