respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce respective (audio)
1
: particular, separate
their respective homes
2
obsolete : partial, discriminative
respectiveness noun

Examples of respective in a Sentence

it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways
Recent Examples on the Web As nonprofit organizations, industry associations are eligible to collaborate with international institutions and secure consultative status within their respective governance bodies. Majeed Javdani, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Join 13 others in the comments View Comments The editorial boards of both the Post and the Times were set to endorse Harris before they were blocked by their papers’ respective billionaire owners, Jeff Bezos and Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. Hadas Gold, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 The outliers are Dwight Eisenhower’s victory in 1956, and the respective losses of Hubert Humphrey and Jimmy Carter in 1968 and 1980: Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research, is responsible for the analysis. Greg McKenna, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024 On the outside of the bags, the chief inspector notes the thumb drive labels and then records the serial number from the ballot bag locks onto the respective chain of custody forms. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for respective 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of respective was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near respective

Cite this Entry

“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

respective

adjective
re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce respective (audio)
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes

More from Merriam-Webster on respective

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