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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First and foremost, the sports broadcaster, 47, praised the star quarterback, 29, and his tight end counterpart, 35, for their multi-hyphenate talents, doubling as standout athletes on the field and businessmen away from it. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025 The state legislature began its special session on Wednesday, and state Democrats have little power to stop their Republican counterparts from pushing out a new congressional map. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025 As of 2025, Gen Z travelers are likely to take longer trips than their millennial counterparts, despite being younger and statistically earning less. Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025 These particles, known as cosmic rays, are mostly composed of single protons, although heavier atomic nuclei, electrons, positrons (the antimatter counterpart of electrons), and neutrinos are all present as well. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterpart

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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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