Agency Dictionary

Reciprocity

nounPronunciation: /ˌrɛs.ɪˈprɒs.ə.ti/

What does “Reciprocity” mean?

The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit; mutual dependence or action and reaction between entities.

Etymology

From French réciprocité, from Latin reciprocus (moving alternately backward and forward), from re- and pro- suggesting back-and-forth motion. The abstract noun names the state of mutual exchange or interdependence.

Usage note

Reciprocity implies that both parties give and receive in kind. In diplomacy and trade, it describes an agreement where equal privileges are exchanged between nations.

Synonyms

mutuality
exchange
give-and-take

Word family

reciprocal
reciprocally
reciprocate
reciprocation

Rhymes with

ferocity
atrocity
velocity
animosity
virtuosity

Concepts

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Research.1 - PermeabilityAugust 29, 2026Read the edition

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Also from these editions: terms

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Epistemologicaladjective: Relating to epistemology, the theory of knowledge, its methods, validity, and scope.
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