accompaniment

noun

ac·​com·​pa·​ni·​ment ə-ˈkəm-pə-nē-mənt How to pronounce accompaniment (audio)
-ˈkəmp-nē-
Synonyms of accompaniment
1
music : an instrumental or vocal part designed to support or complement a melody
sang the song with a piano accompaniment
2
a
: an addition (such as an ornament) intended to give completeness or symmetry to something : complement
a tie that's a nice accompaniment to his new suit
b
: an accompanying situation or occurrence : concomitant
studied Italian as an accompaniment to her art history class
accompanimental
ə-ˌkəm-pə-nē-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce accompaniment (audio)
-ˌkəmp-nē-
adjective

Synonyms of accompaniment

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Examples of accompaniment in a Sentence

She sings without musical accompaniment. A nice tie was a fine accompaniment to his new suit. This dish can be served as an accompaniment to most meat main dishes. This wine is a good accompaniment for spicy foods. She studied Italian as an accompaniment to her classes in art history.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 Pasta salad, potato salad, or other summer vegetable dishes also make perfect accompaniments. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Here’s what to order Country ham and butter The housemade bread service, consisting of fluffy pitas and airy focaccia, comes with a number of possible accompaniments. — Anthony Todd, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The screech of guitar feedback echoed from a makeshift stage outside, where a punk-rock band had just launched into their set, a fitting accompaniment to the bar’s kaleidoscopic selection of beer. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accompaniment

Word History

Etymology

accompany + -ment, on the model of French accompagnement, going back to Old French acompaignement "feudal power-sharing contract," derivative of acompaigner "to accompany"

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accompaniment was in 1697

Phrases Containing accompaniment

Browse Nearby Words

accompanier
accompaniment
accompanist
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Cite this Entry

“Accompaniment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accompaniment. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

accompaniment

noun
ac·​com·​pa·​ni·​ment ə-ˈkəmp-(ə-)nē-mənt How to pronounce accompaniment (audio)
1
: music played along with a solo part to enrich it
2
: an accompanying object, situation, or event

More from Merriam-Webster on accompaniment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about accompaniment

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