counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
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

Example Sentences

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 In Oakland, the Soul and their professional men’s counterpart, the Roots, recently announced a proposal to enter into a lease at the Malibu Lot next to the Coliseum. Marisa Ingemi, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 May 2023 His counterpart in the 2021 Finals, Mike Budenholzer, was fired earlier this month as Bucks coach. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023 The Prologue and its Acura counterpart, the ZDX, will ride on GM's Ultium platform. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 13 May 2023 Using the nice round number of $1,500 a month as a base — just under that $1,775 threshold — researchers found that cities in the Midwest and the South easily outstrip their coastal counterparts in bang-for-buck economy. Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 11 May 2023 As a result, female vice presidents have been systematically denied promotion opportunities that are routinely afforded to their male counterparts. Cassie Werber, Quartz, 9 May 2023 In response, Google rushed to release its counterpart program, Bard. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 9 May 2023 The characters' real-life counterparts The Roys aren't directly based on any individual people, though the Murdoch family seems to have inspired some of their dynamics. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 7 May 2023 As part of that effort, Kerry has engaged in various private talks with Chinese counterparts, including two 2021 meetings that took place in China. Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 5 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterpart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterpart was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near counterpart

Cite this Entry

“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun
coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpärt How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
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 How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument

More from Merriam-Webster on counterpart

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