reciprocity
noun
rec·i·proc·i·ty
ˌre-sə-ˈprä-s(ə-)tē 
plural reciprocities
1
: the quality or state of being reciprocal : mutual dependence, action, or influence
2
: a mutual exchange of privileges
specifically
: a recognition by one of two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other
Examples of reciprocity in a Sentence
Grownups know that little things matter … and that relationships are based on respect and reciprocity.
—
Margaret Carlson, Time, 4 June 2001
Introduced in the McKinley Tariff of 1890, reciprocity gave the president authority to remove items from the free list if their countries of origin placed unreasonable tariffs on American goods.
—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
Indeed when they talked on an indifferent subject, as now, there was ever a second silent conversation passing between their emotions, so perfect was the reciprocity between them.
—Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, 1895
The proposal calls for reciprocity in trade relations.
Margaret Carlson, Time, 4 June 2001
Introduced in the McKinley Tariff of 1890, reciprocity gave the president authority to remove items from the free list if their countries of origin placed unreasonable tariffs on American goods.
—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
Indeed when they talked on an indifferent subject, as now, there was ever a second silent conversation passing between their emotions, so perfect was the reciprocity between them.
—Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, 1895
The proposal calls for reciprocity in trade relations.
Recent Examples on the Web
The administration's rationale appears to center on China's failure to negotiate or de-escalate the trade war, coming after Beijing hiked tariffs on U.S. goods to 84 percent in its own bout of reciprocity.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The leftist leader said then that it was based on the principle of reciprocity as Brazilians still need visas for those countries.
—Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Some in Congress hope the administration goes further to allow the tax-free sale of suppressors and national concealed carry reciprocity.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 7 Apr. 2025
He’s received the same calls from them in grim and sacred reciprocity.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reciprocity
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Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The leftist leader said then that it was based on the principle of reciprocity as Brazilians still need visas for those countries.
—Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Some in Congress hope the administration goes further to allow the tax-free sale of suppressors and national concealed carry reciprocity.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 7 Apr. 2025
He’s received the same calls from them in grim and sacred reciprocity.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reciprocity
Cite this Entry
“Reciprocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocity. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reciprocity
noun
rec·i·proc·i·ty
ˌres-ə-ˈpräs-ət-ē
plural reciprocities
1
: shared dependence, cooperation, or exchange between persons, groups, or states
2
: an exchange of commercial benefits between countries
Legal Definition
reciprocity
noun
rec·i·proc·i·ty
ˌre-sə-ˈprä-sə-tē
plural reciprocities
1
: the quality or state of being reciprocal
2
: the exchange, recognition, or enforcement of licenses, privileges, or obligations between states of the U.S. or between nations
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