counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt 

1

: one of two corresponding copies of a legal instrument : duplicate

2

a

: a thing that fits another perfectly

b

: something that completes : complement

the lead actress and her male counterpart

3

a

: one remarkably similar to another

The crow is sometimes mistaken for its larger counterpart, the raven.

b

: one having the same function or characteristics as another

college presidents and their counterparts in business

Synonyms of counterpart

• equivalent

Examples of counterpart in a Sentence

The secretary of defense met with his counterparts in Asia to discuss the nuclear crisis.

Metal tools replaced their stone counterparts many, many years ago.

the lead actress and her male counterpart

Recent Examples on the Web

But that’d be a bit of a shame, because this corner of the Hudson Valley, less trod-through than its northern and western counterparts, is absolutely beautiful. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Japan's Nikkei 225 was poised to rise, with the Chicago futures contract at 64,430 and its Osaka counterpart last trading at 64,250, compared with the index's previous close of 63,923. — Justina Lee,tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Softer than their closet counterpart, the black ballet flat, but with just as much styling potential, there’s a reason why brown ballet flats are a top fall shoe trend. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2026

Designed as a lower-cost, high-volume counterpart to the venerable MQ-9 Reaper, the platform aims to restore combat mass in high-threat environments. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for counterpart

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpärt 

1

: a part or thing that matches another

the left arm is the counterpart of the right

2

: something that serves to complete something else : complement

3

: a person closely resembling another

Legal Definition

counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt 

: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument