mate

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈmāt How to pronounce mate (audio)
mated; mating
Synonyms of matenext

transitive verb

: checkmate sense 2

mate

2 of 5

noun (1)

: checkmate sense 1

mate

3 of 5

noun (2)

1
a(1)
: associate, companion
(2)
chiefly British : an assistant to a more skilled worker : helper
(3)
chiefly British : friend, buddy
—often used as a familiar form of address
b
archaic : match, peer
2
: a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain
3
: one of a pair: such as
a
: either member of a couple and especially a married couple
b
: either member of a breeding pair of animals
c
: either of two matched objects

mate

4 of 5

verb (2)

mated; mating

transitive verb

1
archaic : equal, match
2
: to join or fit together : couple
3
a
: to join together as mates
b
: to provide a mate for

intransitive verb

1
: to become mated
gears that mate well
2
: copulate

maté

5 of 5

noun (3)

ma·​té ˈmä-ˌtā How to pronounce maté (audio)
variants or mate
1
: a tealike beverage drunk especially in South America
2
: a South American shrub or tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of the holly family whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté
also : these leaves and shoots

Synonyms

Noun (2)

Verb (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of mate in a Sentence

Noun (2) have you seen the mate to this glove anywhere? that lout and his mates are known troublemakers in the neighborhood a plumber and his mate showed up to fix the sink in our London hotel room
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.
Verb
It's powered by a 200-kW electric propulsion system mated to a 180-kWh battery pack for a top speed of 30 knots (34.5 mph). — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2025 The vocalizations are likely tied not just to mating, but also signaling dominance, fitness, or even individual identity. — Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Your mate from Parkway Drive, drummer Ben Gordon, really knew how to sell the high stakes of drumming live for Ed Sheeran after only two months of training. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025 That is when males are out in large numbers searching for a mate. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mate

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French mater, from mat, noun, checkmate, ultimately from Arabic māt (in shāh māt)

Noun (2)

Middle English, probably from Middle Low German māt; akin to Old English gemetta guest at one's table, mete food — more at meat

Noun (3)

French & American Spanish; French maté, from American Spanish mate maté, vessel for drinking it, from Quechua mati vessel

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (2)

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mate was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing mate

Rhymes for mate

See All Rhymes for mate

Browse Nearby Words

matchy-matchy
mate
maté
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mate. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

mate

1 of 3 noun
ˈmāt How to pronounce mate (audio)
1
a
: associate entry 2 sense 1, companion
b
: an assistant worker : helper
plumber's mate
2
: a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain
3
a
: either member of a married couple
b
: one of a breeding pair of animals
a dove and its mate
c
: either of two matched objects
the mate to a glove

mate

2 of 3 verb
mated; mating
1
: to join or fit together
2
a
: to bring or come together as mates
especially : marry entry 1 sense 1
b
: to provide a mate for
3
: copulate

maté

3 of 3 noun
ma·​té
variants or mate
ˈmä-ˌtā How to pronounce maté (audio)
: a fragrant beverage made from the leaves and shoots of a South American shrub or tree related to the hollies
also : this shrub or tree or its leaves and shoots

Medical Definition

mate

1 of 2 verb
ˈmāt How to pronounce mate (audio)
mated; mating

transitive verb

: to pair or join for breeding

intransitive verb

: copulate

maté

2 of 2 noun
ma·​té
variants or mate
ˈmä-ˌtā How to pronounce maté (audio)
1
: an aromatic beverage used chiefly in South America and especially in Paraguay that has stimulant properties like those of coffee
2
: a South American holly (Ilex paraguayensis) whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté
also : these leaves and shoots

More from Merriam-Webster on mate

Nglish: Translation of mate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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