This is the 4237th most frequent Japanese word.
伴侶
"伴侶" means "companion" or "partner."
In this sentence, '伴侶' refers to a non-human companion that shares a long-lasting and significant relationship with the individual.
彼は犬を人生の伴侶として選びました。
He chose a dog as his life's companion.
Here, '伴侶' is used to suggest the intent to find a life partner or a significant other in a general sense.
彼女は新たな伴侶を見つけることを決意しました。
She decided to find a new partner.
This usage of '伴侶' denotes a human partner, particularly in the context of marriage and love.