VocabDictionary
🇬🇧English to English[companion animals]

companion animals

/kəmˈpæn.jən ˈæn.ɪ.məlz/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Animals kept primarily for company, entertainment, psychological benefit, or emotional connection with humans rather than for working, laboratory testing, or agricultural production.

Example Sentences:
  • Dogs, cats, and rabbits are among the most popular companion animals in urban households.
  • Local shelters work tirelessly to ensure proper care and adoption services for abandoned companion animals.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “companion animals”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The term combines 'companion' (from Old French 'compagnon', literally 'one who breaks bread with another', derived from Latin 'com-' meaning 'with' + 'panis' meaning 'bread') and 'animals' (from Latin 'animal', from 'anima' meaning 'breath' or 'soul'). The phrase gained widespread acceptance in the late 20th century among veterinarians, animal welfare advocates, and sociologists to emphasize the emotional bond and mutual relationship between humans and pets, moving beyond the purely utilitarian connotation of the word 'pet'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'companions' who accompany you through life, and 'animals' that share your home as family rather than just livestock.

Frequently Asked Questions About “companion animals

1. What is the meaning of “companion animals” in English?

In English, companion animals (noun) is defined as: “Animals kept primarily for company, entertainment, psychological benefit, or emotional connection with humans rather than for working, laboratory testing, or agricultural production.”.

2. How do you use “companion animals” in a sentence?

Dogs, cats, and rabbits are among the most popular companion animals in urban households.

3. What are English synonyms of “companion animals”?

Common synonyms include:pets,house pets,domestic animals

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “companion animals”?

The term combines 'companion' (from Old French 'compagnon', literally 'one who breaks bread with another', derived from Latin 'com-' meaning 'with' + 'panis' meaning 'bread') and 'animals' (from Latin 'animal', from 'anima' meaning 'breath' or 'soul'). The phrase gained widespread acceptance in the late 20th century among veterinarians, animal welfare advocates, and sociologists to emphasize the emotional bond and mutual relationship between humans and pets, moving beyond the purely utilitarian connotation of the word 'pet'.