bilateral

[ bahy-lat-er-uhl ]

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: Compare unilateral ( def 7 ).

   bilateral affiliation.

noun

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

bilateral

/ 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

Derived Forms

• biˈlaterally, adverb

Other Words From

• bi·later·al·ism bi·later·al·ness noun
• bi·later·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bilateral¹

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

Example Sentences

For Mahmood, who exploited friendly bowling conditions brilliantly, it is now a record-breaking eight wickets in the powerplay in this series - the most by any bowler in a bilateral T20 contest.

From BBC

Brussels frets about other EU member states now potentially rushing to secure good bilateral relations with Trump at the expense of unity.

From BBC

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also congratulated Trump on X: "We will work on our strategic bilateral relations and on a strong transatlantic partnership."

From BBC

These bilateral agreements normalised relations between Israel and a few Arab states, but were widely seen to have sidelined the Palestinians and ultimately contributed to the current unprecedented crisis.

From BBC

An ongoing broader border dispute, intensifying bilateral competition across South Asia and in the Indian Ocean region, and China’s close alliance with Pakistan rule out the possibility of a détente anytime soon.

From BBC

Related Words

• mutual
• reciprocal