# counterpart

/ˈkaʊntɝˌpɑɹt/ (US) · /kˈaʊntəpˌɑːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/counterpart
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. equivalent person or thing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

someone or something that has the same job or purpose as another person or thing in a different place.

For teachers: a person or thing holding a position or performing a function that corresponds to that of another person or thing in another area.

- The prime minister met with his French counterpart to discuss the new trade deal.
- The CEO of the startup spent the afternoon consulting with her counterpart at the established firm to compare operational strategies.

Usage: Often used with the possessive (his, her, its) or the preposition 'of'.

### 2. matching part

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

one of two parts that fit together or complete each other.

For teachers: one of two parts which complement or complete each other; a thing that forms a natural pair with another.

- The left earring was lost, and she could not find its counterpart anywhere.
- The architect designed the north wing as a modern counterpart to the original Victorian structure, balancing old and new materials.

### 3. legal duplicate

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

an exact copy of a legal document.

For teachers: a duplicate or copy of a legal deed or document, often executed so that each party may have a copy.

- Each person signed a counterpart of the contract so they both had a record.
- The agreement was executed in several counterparts, each of which was deemed an original but all of which together constituted one instrument.

## Examples

- The CEO met with his French counterpart to discuss the merger.
- The defense attorney argued that the sentence was much harsher than those given to his client's counterparts in similar cases.
- While the domestic legal framework is robust, its international counterpart remains fragmented, leading to significant challenges in cross-border enforcement and jurisdictional clarity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.