counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt 

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

Synonyms

• coequal
• compeer
• coordinate
• equal
• equivalent
• fellow
• like
• match
• parallel
• peer
• rival

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

The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that small dogs live much longer than their larger counterparts. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

In this analysis, the people who died at 27 stood out from their older and younger counterparts. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Polling precincts in smaller regions often tabulate and report results faster than their urban counterparts simply because there are fewer votes to process. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024

Luckily, hiking leggings have come a long way as outdoor brands like The North Face, Fjallraven, and Columbia have put their innovative technologies towards perfecting these lightweight bottoms and their counterparts. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpärt 

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 

: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument