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

For Germany's exporters, India and its 1.4 billion inhabitants represent significant opportunities, with a bilateral trade volume of almost 50 billion euros.

From Barron's

Yet, China’s leadership suggested last month that it is in no rush to roll out major stimulus measures as the trade detente with Washington puts bilateral relations on a stable footing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under a bilateral agreement, the US has a military base already on Greenland - established at the beginning of the Cold War.

From BBC

Cambodia's defence ministry said in a statement Tuesday morning that Phnom Penh had proposed a bilateral border committee meeting with Thai counterparts to be held in Cambodia's Siem Reap province this month.

From Barron's

Panama and the U.S. have agreed to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• mutual
• reciprocal