complementarity
Americannoun
noun
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a state or system that involves complementary components
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physics the principle that the complete description of a phenomenon in microphysics requires the use of two distinct theories that are complementary to each other See also duality
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The concept that the underlying properties of entities (especially subatomic particles) may manifest themselves in contradictory forms at different times, depending on the conditions of observation; thus, any physical model of an entity exclusively in terms of one form or the other will be necessarily incomplete. For example, although a unified quantum mechanical understanding of such phenomena as light has been developed, light sometimes exhibits properties of waves and sometimes properties of particles (an example of wave-particle duality).
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See also uncertainty principle
Etymology
Origin of complementarity
First recorded in 1910–15; complementar(y) + -ity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is governed by a strict policy of "complementarity", meaning it can only take on cases a suspect's home country is unwilling or unable to try itself.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
The merger would allow both companies to better monetize their intellectual properties, with strong complementarity between All3Media and Banijay Entertainment, Riahi says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
Such complementarity will become ever more important as variable renewable energy sources account for a greater proportion of power entering the grid, she says.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 6, 2024
"The two sides have strong economic complementarity and huge potential for cooperation," said Mao, when asked by reporters to comment on Mondino's remarks.
From Reuters ● Nov. 21, 2023
Theoretical breakthrough that it was, complementarity did nothing to resolve the paradoxical results emanating from the atomic nucleus.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
