complementarity

American  

[kom-pluh-men-tar-i-tee] / ˌkɒm plə mɛnˈtær ɪ ti /

noun

1. the quality or state of being complementary.

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complementarity British  

/ ˌkɒmplɪmənˈtærɪtɪ /

noun

1. a state or system that involves complementary components

2. 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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complementarity Scientific  

/ kŏm′plə-mən-târ′ĭ-tē /

1. 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).

2. See also uncertainty principle

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Etymology

Origin of complementarity

First recorded in 1910–15; complementar(y) + -ity

Example Sentences

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

“What led us to hire him … was the clear complementarity of his research” with that at IOCB, Konvalinka said.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 13, 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