reciprocal

adjective re·cip·ro·cal \ ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl \

Definition of reciprocal

1 a :inversely related :opposite

b :of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the first cross supplies the female parent of the second cross and vice versa

2 :shared, felt, or shown by both sides

3 :serving to reciprocate :consisting of or functioning as a return in kind

the reciprocal devastation of nuclear war

4 a :mutually corresponding

agreed to extend reciprocal privileges to each other's citizens

b :marked by or based on reciprocity

reciprocal trade agreements

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reciprocally

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See reciprocal defined for English-language learners

See reciprocal defined for kids

Examples of reciprocal in a Sentence

the two nations agreed to give reciprocal work rights to each other's citizens, thus facilitating the daily border crossings of workers from both countries

Recent Examples of reciprocal from the Web

From the large issues like Britain’s divorce bill, to the small technical ones like reciprocal health care, progress is scarce.

— ian wishart, Bloomberg.com, "Devil in the Detail: Why Brexit Talks Are Making Little Progress," 30 Aug. 2017
But this reciprocal relationship should be cause for worry:

— andrew gregory, The Cut, "A New Study Says Loneliness Turns People Selfish," 23 Aug. 2017
Hunter issued reciprocal restraining orders to the couple and their accuser, banning contact between the parties.

— ken daley, NOLA.com, "DA Cannizzaro amends 'revenge porn' charges against architect Gerald Billes and wife," 17 Aug. 2017
If true, the phenomenon could be considered mutualism, Zduniak says—a reciprocal behavior among species that benefits both parties.

— nizamettin yavuz, National Geographic, "Frogs Hitch Ride on Water Buffalo—Never Before Seen," 17 Aug. 2017
Internationally, American promises in Paris could help produce reciprocal agreements from other countries.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Obama’s Legacy Is Finally Coming Into Focus, Thanks to Trump," 1 Aug. 2017
And, again, this whole thing came to light so recently that there is no read yet on how much reciprocal interest there would be from the Heat, even with Kyrie's interest.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Could Heat trade assets prove more valued than believed?," 23 July 2017
The U.K. proposal is contingent on reciprocal rights for Britons living within the EU, but EU leaders say the U.K.’s guarantees fall short of those proposed by the EU for British nationals.

— yasmeen serhan, The Atlantic, "One Issue That Could Break the Brexit Talks," 17 July 2017
Capture of home equity through a sale requires a reciprocal act of attaining new accommodations.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Time to sell? Econometer looks at homeowner's dilemma," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reciprocal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

In Latin, reciprocus means "returning the same way" or "alternating". So in a reciprocating engine, like the one in your car, the pistons move back and forth, and that motion is transformed into the rotary motion of the crankshaft. A reciprocal is a pair of numbers (such as 5/6 and 6/5) that can be multiplied to produce 1. Reciprocity (with the accent on the third syllable) between two nations means they agree to recognize certain things granted in one country as being valid in the other—for example, your driver's license.

Origin and Etymology of reciprocal

Latin reciprocus returning the same way, alternating

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First Known Use: 1570

See Words from the same year

reciprocal Synonyms

Synonyms

correlative, complementary, supplemental, supplementary

Antonyms

noncomplementary, nonreciprocal

Related Words

cooperative, mutual, symbiotic; collective, combined, common, communal, conjoint, joint, shared, united

reciprocal

noun

Definition of reciprocal

1 :something in a reciprocal relationship to another

2 :either of a pair of numbers (such as ²/₃ and ³/₂ or 9 and ¹/₉) whose product is one; broadly :multiplicative inverse

First Known Use of reciprocal

1570

RECIPROCAL Defined for English Language Learners

reciprocal

adjective

Definition of reciprocal for English Language Learners

—used to describe a relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other, to allow each other to have the same rights, etc.

RECIPROCAL Defined for Kids

reciprocal

noun re·cip·ro·cal \ ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl \

Definition of reciprocal for Students

:one of a pair of numbers (as 9 and ¹/₉, ²/₃ and ³/₂) whose product is one

Medical Dictionary

reciprocal

adjective re·cip·ro·cal \ ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl \

medical Definition of reciprocal

1 :inversely related

2 :of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the first cross supplies the female parent of the second cross and vice versa

3 :shared, felt, or shown by both sides