bilateral

American  

[bahy-lat-er-uhl] / baɪˈlæt ər əl /

adjective

1. pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like.

   a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.

2. located on opposite sides of an axis; two-sided, especially when of equal size, value, etc.

3. Biology. pertaining to the right and left sides of a structure, plane, etc.

4. Chiefly Law. (of a contract) binding the parties to reciprocal obligations.

5. through both parents equally.

   bilateral affiliation.

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noun

1. Informal. a bilateral agreement, especially regarding international trade.

bilateral British  

/ baɪˈlætərəl /

adjective

1. having or involving two sides

2. affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutual

   a bilateral treaty

3. denoting or relating to bilateral symmetry

4. having identical sides or parts on each side of an axis; symmetrical

5. sociol relating to descent through both maternal and paternal lineage Compare unilateral

6. relating to an education that combines academic and technical courses

7. a bilateral meeting

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Other Word Forms

• bilateralism noun
• bilaterally adverb
• bilateralness noun

Etymology

Origin of bilateral

First recorded in 1765–75; bi- ¹ + lateral

Example Sentences

The world's most populous nation is already the 10th largest market for Brazilian exports, with bilateral trade topping $15 billion in 2025.

From Barron's

Mudavadi said Kenya was working closely with Russia on curbing illegal recruitment practices, including discussions on visa policy and bilateral labour agreements excluding military conscription.

From BBC

Macron, who earlier held bilateral talks with Modi, said there was a need to change the discussion around AI from "let's do more" to "let's do better together".

From BBC

Russia's state RIA news agency quoted a source saying that Tuesday's negotiations, which lasted six hours, had been tense and took place in different bilateral and trilateral formats.

From BBC

It has been more than 18 years since India and Pakistan last met in a Test match, and 13 years since either side crossed the border to play a bilateral series.

From Barron's

Related Words

• mutual
• reciprocal