counterpart
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1 equivalent person or thing (n.) C1 Advanced Formalsomeone or something that has the same job or purpose as another person or thing in a different place.
a person or thing holding a position or performing a function that corresponds to that of another person or thing in another area.
ExampleThe prime minister met with his French counterpart to discuss the new trade deal.
ExampleThe CEO of the startup spent the afternoon consulting with her counterpart at the established firm to compare operational strategies.
UsageOften used with the possessive (his, her, its) or the preposition 'of'.
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2 matching part (n.) C2 Proficiency Formal Literaryone of two parts that fit together or complete each other.
one of two parts which complement or complete each other; a thing that forms a natural pair with another.
ExampleThe left earring was lost, and she could not find its counterpart anywhere.
ExampleThe architect designed the north wing as a modern counterpart to the original Victorian structure, balancing old and new materials.
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3 legal duplicate (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Lawan exact copy of a legal document.
a duplicate or copy of a legal deed or document, often executed so that each party may have a copy.
ExampleEach person signed a counterpart of the contract so they both had a record.
ExampleThe agreement was executed in several counterparts, each of which was deemed an original but all of which together constituted one instrument.
From Middle English conterpart, countre parte (“duplicate of a legal document”), equivalent to counter- + part. Compare Old French contrepartie, itself from contre (“facing, opposite”) (from Latin contra (“against”)) + partie (“copy of a person or thing”) (originally past participle of partīre (“to divide”)).