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 even as women have achieved high-ranking command roles and fought side by side on the battlefield with men, they often are given less honor publicly than their male counterparts, according to Derriso. — Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026

Teachers work longer hours, too, and are often less experienced than their traditional public school counterparts. — Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

There is a particularly notable use of possessive language when certain Black basketball players discuss their White counterparts. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

But the Allied high command rejected their German counterparts’ request that everyone stop firing as quickly as orders could be circulated, opting instead to wait until the more poetic time of 11 am. — Connor Okeeffe, Oc Register, 11 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