accompaniment
noun
ac·com·pa·ni·ment ə-ˈkəm-pə-nē-mənt 
-ˈkəmp-nē-
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
adjective -ˌkəmp-nē-
Synonyms
- attendant
- companion
- concomitant
- corollary
- incident
- obbligato
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The performances are free and feature live piano, cello and vocal accompaniment. 
Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 His annual Lockn’ Festival in rural Virginia remains a warm home for bands dedicated to keeping alive the San Francisco vibe despite the sometimes discordant accompaniment of gathering years. Dave Shiflett, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 And thanks to their versatility, jalebi make for a delicious breakfast, accompaniment to chai (tea) or after-dinner treat. Kate Springer, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 The simple acoustic accompaniment leaves room to showcase Swift's vocal talents. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 2 Aug. 2022 Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information and accompaniment. MarÍa Verza, Chron, 28 June 2022 Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information, and accompaniment. MarÍa Verza, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2022 Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information and accompaniment. MarÍa Verza, ajc, 28 June 2022 Her music was greatly enhanced by the wonderfully sensitive accompaniment of her fellow musicians, including guitarist Kevin Breit, violinist Jenny Scheinman and drummer Brian Blade, who is also helming the drum chair on Jones’ current tour. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2022 See More
Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 His annual Lockn’ Festival in rural Virginia remains a warm home for bands dedicated to keeping alive the San Francisco vibe despite the sometimes discordant accompaniment of gathering years. Dave Shiflett, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 And thanks to their versatility, jalebi make for a delicious breakfast, accompaniment to chai (tea) or after-dinner treat. Kate Springer, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 The simple acoustic accompaniment leaves room to showcase Swift's vocal talents. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 2 Aug. 2022 Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information and accompaniment. MarÍa Verza, Chron, 28 June 2022 Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information, and accompaniment. MarÍa Verza, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2022 Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information and accompaniment. MarÍa Verza, ajc, 28 June 2022 Her music was greatly enhanced by the wonderfully sensitive accompaniment of her fellow musicians, including guitarist Kevin Breit, violinist Jenny Scheinman and drummer Brian Blade, who is also helming the drum chair on Jones’ current tour. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing accompaniment
Kids Definition
accompaniment
noun
ac·com·pa·ni·ment ə-ˈkəm-pə-nē-mənt
: music played in support of someone singing or playing an instrument
accompaniment
noun
as in companion
something that is found along with something else the sound of crickets was the perfect accompaniment to our summer evenings on the porch Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- companion
- complement
- obbligato
- concomitant
- attendant
- corollary
- adjunct
- accessory
- incident
- consequence
- appendage
- supplement
- counterpart
- accessary
- trimmings
- fixings
- fellow
- follow-up
- mate
- nonforfeiture value
- nonforfeitures
- nonformal
- nonfossil
- nonfossiliferous
- nonfraternal
- nonfraternization
- nonfraternizations
- nonfreezing
- nonfricatives
- nonfrivolous
- nonfrozen
- nonfuel
- nonfulfillment
- nonfulfillments
- nonfulfilment
- nonfulfilments
- nonfunctional
- nonfunctionally
- nonfunctioning
- nonfundable
- low speed
- Low Sunday
- low tide
- low voltage