reciprocal

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

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Examples: reciprocal in a Sentence

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 \ri-ˈsi-prə-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

Buying Basics There are no restrictions on most foreigners buying real estate in Italy, although their home countries must have reciprocal buying agreements with Italy, brokers said.

— New York Times, "House Hunting in … Italy," 27 June 2018
The resolution was approved with the addition of a reciprocal parking agreement before a building permit is issued.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How they voted, June 10," 10 June 2018
The bill also would require the director of the state’s Division of Professional Registration to negotiate reciprocal agreements with other states, which would streamline the process for agents to receive registration throughout the country.

— aaron reiss, kansascity, "Missouri legislators want sports agents to follow these rules because of FBI probe | The Kansas City Star," 27 Apr. 2018
The Russians were in danger of joining the Arab-Israeli War, which might require reciprocal action from the United States.

— alice bolin, Longreads, "The Daughter as Detective," 26 June 2018
After many decades, fair and reciprocal Trade will happen!

— CBS News, "Trudeau, Trump continue fight on trade after Trump leaves G7," 9 June 2018
Indeed, Trump is expected to call for more reciprocal trade deals in a speech Friday.

— adam taylor, Washington Post, "Ahead of Trump’s trip to Davos, its experts argue that he doesn’t understand trade deficits," 21 Jan. 2018
Trump's meeting with Kim Yong Chol was a reciprocal gesture after Kim Jong Un met twice with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang, the aides said.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Has North Korea already trumped the U.S. in the propaganda war?," 2 June 2018
Anticipating likely reciprocal expulsion by the Trump administration, Maduro hours later gave a new job to Carlos Ron, who had been serving as his top envoy to Washington.

— Washington Post, "Venezuelan president expels top US diplomat amid tensions," 22 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1570

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

reciprocal Synonyms

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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