reciprocal

1 of 2

adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl 

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

reciprocally

ri-ˈsi-prə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

reciprocal

2 of 2

noun

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between reciprocity and endorsement?

Each of these words has multiple meanings, some of which are similar, and others of which are not. Reciprocity may mean "a mutual exchange of privileges" and is often applied to things such as professional certification (neighboring states may have a reciprocal agreement so that certification a worker needs is applicable in each). Endorsement may mean "sanction, approval" or simply refer to "the act or process of endorsing."

Can reciprocity be mutual?

Reciprocal and mutual share a good deal of meaning; the former may be defined as "shared, felt, or shown by both sides," and the latter as "shared in common." Based on this semantic overlap some usage guides caution against using any form of the two words (mutually reciprocal, or mutual reciprocity) together, on the grounds that it is redundant.

Is reciprocity a noun or verb?

Reciprocity is a noun. The verb form of the word is reciprocate; the adjective is reciprocal, and the adverb is reciprocally.

Synonyms

Adjective

• complementary
• correlative
• supplemental
• supplementary

Examples of reciprocal in a Sentence

Adjective

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 on the Web

Adjective

The reciprocal group of 39 Palestinian prisoners will be turned over the International Committee of the Red Cross as soon as the hostages are in Israeli hands, to Israeli and Palestinian officials. —Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023

Addressing the room, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the vast majority of the U.S. trade and investment relationship with China is not affected by national security concerns and that the U.S. is committed to promoting reciprocal trade and investment in those areas. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023

Five Rivers Distribution's partnership with the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad provides the port with reciprocal switching with three Class I railroads. —Aaron Gettinger, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2023

Democrats appeared to pull a reciprocal effort to censure GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from consideration after the Tlaib vote. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023

Essays by an indigenous scientist offer lessons in reciprocal awareness between people and plants. —Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023

Let others show up for you, let yourself be taken care of, and allow reciprocal relationships of all kinds to enter into your life. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2023

Now, Japan and Brazil struck a reciprocal agreement that will take effect September 30 and will be valid for the next three years, wherein citizens of each country will be able to visit the other without obtaining a visa. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Sep. 2023

Windows, recurrent motifs in Petzold’s films, become potent symbols of Leon’s pining and self-loathing, indulging his curiosity while shielding him from the reciprocal trial of being seen. —Jasmine Liu, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2023

Noun

For now, one hint that TKV may have an edge is that the reciprocals of the series of angles produced by the model, unlike those in the older model, follow a nearly periodic progression. —Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2019

See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin reciprocus returning the same way, alternating

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reciprocal

• reciprocal pronoun

• reciprocal pronoun

Kids Definition

reciprocal

1 of 2 adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl 

1

: done, given, or felt equally by both sides

reciprocal affection

2

: related to each other in such a way that one completes the other or is the equal of the other

reciprocal agreements

reciprocally

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

reciprocal

2 of 2 noun

1

: something in a reciprocal relationship to another

2

: either of a pair of numbers (as 9 and ⅑ or ⅔ and ³⁄₂) whose product is one

Medical Definition

reciprocal

adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl 

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

Legal Definition

reciprocal

adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl 

1

a

: mutual sense 2

b

: bilateral

a reciprocal contract

2

: characterized by correspondence or equivalence especially in return or response with another of the same category

an … agreement permitting the reciprocal use of each other's land

—Ingham v. Block, 351 S.W.3d 96 (2011)

also : marked by such correspondence or equivalence between its own components

a reciprocal arrangement

3

: marked by reciprocity between states

reciprocally adverb