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

• coequal
• compeer
• coordinate
• equal
• equivalent
• fellow
• like
• match
• parallel
• peer
• rival

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

Birmingham’s financial troubles linked to pay disparity began in 2012 when the U.K. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a group of public sector employees—mostly female—who weren’t paid equally compared with their male counterparts for years. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 3 May 2024

Additionally, according to the American Bar Association, the pass rate for first-time Black test takers was about 57% in 2022, while their White counterparts had an average of 83%. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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