Counterpart/ˈkaʊntərpɑːrt/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Functional Similarity Refers to someone or something that serves a similar role or purpose. He was my counterpart at the partner company, handling similar projects. Pro Tip 2/3Across Contexts Can be used in various fields, from business to sports, to describe equivalent roles. The foreign minister met with his American counterpart. Pro Tip 3/3Not Necessarily Equal Doesn't imply equality in status or power, just a similar function. A teaching assistant is the counterpart to a teacher, not the equal.