bilateral
Americanadjective
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pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like.
a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.
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located on opposite sides of an axis; two-sided, especially when of equal size, value, etc.
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Biology. pertaining to the right and left sides of a structure, plane, etc.
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Chiefly Law. (of a contract) binding the parties to reciprocal obligations.
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through both parents equally.
bilateral affiliation.
noun
adjective
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having or involving two sides
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affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutual
a bilateral treaty
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denoting or relating to bilateral symmetry
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having identical sides or parts on each side of an axis; symmetrical
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sociol relating to descent through both maternal and paternal lineage Compare unilateral
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relating to an education that combines academic and technical courses
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a bilateral meeting
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bilateral
Explanation
When something is bilateral it has two sides or it affects both sides of something. Discussions between two political parties are called bilateral because both sides get to share their views. Bilateral comes from Latin: bi means "two" and lateralis means "belonging to the side." Debates about issues can be described as bilateral — as long as people on both sides get to speak. However, bilateral can describe anything with two sides, like some of the organs in the body: the brain, heart and lungs all have two distinct sides.
Vocabulary lists containing bilateral
It Takes Two: Bi
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"
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This Week In Words: August 8–14, 2020
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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.
The U.S.’s traditional hub-and-spoke approach to the region consisting largely of bilateral agreements leaves the Asia-Pacific lacking in uniform communications systems, radar and logistics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Spanish authorities have increased security around the enclaves in recent years through increased surveillance, barrier reinforcement, and improved bilateral relations with Morocco, but people continue to attempt to cross.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
It will not, however, address bilateral issues like China's territorial disputes with the Philippines, Jing insisted, saying it would instead focus on "rules of engagement" for the waterway.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Ultimately, the goal shouldn’t be a collection of bilateral agreements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
To those who are genuinely concerned, I push a button to say, “I have spastic bilateral quadriplegia, also known as cerebral palsy. It limits my body, but not my mind.”
From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions 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.
