complementarity

noun

com·​ple·​men·​tar·​i·​ty ˌkäm-plə-(ˌ)men-ˈter-ə-tē 

-mən-,

-ˈta-rə-

1

: the quality or state of being complementary

2

: the complementary relationship of theories explaining the nature of light or other quantized radiation in terms of both electromagnetic waves and particles

Examples of complementarity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Taiwan's economy ministry highlighted the complementarity between U.S. chip designs and Taiwan's manufacturing capabilities, pledging continued cooperation to support mutual interests. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

The answer for many of the questions that 2025 entails lies not in choosing one approach over another, but in combining the best of them all, and their complementarity. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

In an early duet, Aparna and Ashwini are models of sisterly complementarity. —Brian Seibert, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

The future belongs to those who embrace the complementarity of AI and NI. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

complementary + -ity

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

complementarity

noun

com·​ple·​men·​tar·​i·​ty ˌkäm-plə-(ˌ)men-ˈtar-ət-ē, -mən- 

plural complementarities

: correspondence in reverse of part of one molecule to part of another: as

a

: the arrangement of chemical groups and electric charges that enables a combining group of an antibody to combine with a specific determinant group of an antigen or hapten

b

: the correspondence between strands or nucleotides of DNA or sometimes RNA that permits their precise pairing

evolution of the contemporary genetic code involving purine-pyrimidine complementarity

—Struther Arnott & P. J. Bond