complementarity

noun

com·​ple·​men·​tar·​i·​ty ˌkäm-plə-(ˌ)men-ˈter-ə-tē How to pronounce complementarity (audio)
-mən-,
-ˈta-rə-
1
: the quality or state of being complementary
2
: the complementary relationship of theories explaining the nature of light or other quantized radiation in terms of both electromagnetic waves and particles

Examples of complementarity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Once it is set on the right path with prosocial ambitions to guide it, AI may serve the common good – in complementarity with our natural assets. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Invest in developing your natural intelligence as your in-house superpower, and harness artificial assets in complementarity not as a replacement. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 So, compliments to the chef, whoever that might be, who thought there’d be a certain complementarity that would work here. Chris Willman, Variety, 23 June 2024 Economic complementarity also drove them together: Russia had an abundance of natural resources but needed technology and money, while China needed natural resources and had money to spare and technology to share. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for complementarity 

Word History

Etymology

complementary + -ity

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complementarity was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near complementarity

Cite this Entry

“Complementarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complementarity. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

complementarity

noun
com·​ple·​men·​tar·​i·​ty ˌkäm-plə-(ˌ)men-ˈtar-ət-ē, -mən- How to pronounce complementarity (audio)
plural complementarities
: correspondence in reverse of part of one molecule to part of another: as
a
: the arrangement of chemical groups and electric charges that enables a combining group of an antibody to combine with a specific determinant group of an antigen or hapten
b
: the correspondence between strands or nucleotides of DNA or sometimes RNA that permits their precise pairing
evolution of the contemporary genetic code involving purine-pyrimidine complementarityStruther Arnott & P. J. Bond
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