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Definition of reciprocity

reciprocity

/ˌrɛsɪˈprɑːsəti/
rec · i · proc · i · ty
Adverb:reciprocally
•
Plural:reciprocities
•
Adjective:reciprocal
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reciprocity Lexical Profile

reciprocity Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another.

Example

"The diplomatic treaty was built on a foundation of economic reciprocity between the two trading nations."

2

A mathematical or physical relation in which two quantities or phenomena bear a symmetrical or inverse relationship to each other.

Example

"In photography, the law of reciprocity describes the inverse relationship between aperture and shutter speed in determining exposure."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for reciprocity

• Nearby Words

reciprocally
reciprocate
reciprocation
reciprocity
recirculate
recirculation
recital

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-18th century from French réciprocité, derived from Latin reciprocus ('moving backward and forward, alternating'), which combines the prefixes re- ('back') and pro- ('forward').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Reciprocity. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/reciprocity
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