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

The Heritage Wing is the quieter, more reverential counterpart—lower-rise and more intimate, designed as a direct homage to the original 1962 Okura. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026

Raman and Bass are both Democrats, but Raman is to the left of Bass, if not as far to the left as her would-be New York counterpart Zohran Mamdani. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

The front sensor is positioned beneath the windscreen, while its rear counterpart sits above the number plate. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

For example, militaries detecting projectiles in their airspace that were en route to a target country didn’t warn their counterparts, leaving them with less time to deal with incoming attacks. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 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