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

Their meeting was part of an effort by Caracas to "define a roadmap on questions of bilateral interest" and address existing differences via diplomacy, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

From Barron's

Speaking after bilateral talks in Turkey, Iran's foreign minister says his country is "ready to begin negotiations if they take place on an equal footing, based on mutual interests and mutual respect."

From Barron's

Polls show most Mexicans approve of her handling of the bilateral relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

The Colombian government had already proposed a bilateral meeting to ease the tensions, but the two countries had yet to decide on a date.

From Barron's

Latin America's second-biggest economy, which is part of a free-trade agreement with the United States and Canada, has so far largely managed to avoid bilateral US tariffs.

From Barron's

Related Words

• mutual
• reciprocal