unipolar

[ yoo-nuh-poh-ler ]

adjective

1. Also Physics. having or pertaining to a single magnetic or electric pole.
2. Anatomy. of or relating to a nerve cell in spinal and cranial ganglia in which the incoming and outgoing processes fuse outside the cell body.

unipolar

/ ˌjuːnɪpəʊˈlærɪtɪ; ˌjuːnɪˈpəʊlə /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or having a single magnetic or electric pole
2. (of a nerve cell) having a single process
3. (of a transistor) utilizing charge carriers of one polarity only, as in a field-effect transistor
4. (of nervous depression) occurring without accompanying bouts of mania
5. dominated by one superpower, esp the United States See bipolar

Derived Forms

• unipolarity, noun

Other Words From

• u·ni·po·lar·i·ty [yoo-n, uh, -poh-, lar, -i-tee, -p, uh, -], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unipolar¹

First recorded in 1805–15; uni- + polar

Example Sentences

Mr. Xi focused on promoting a new world order centered around the global economic and diplomatic power of China, whose communist government has long lamented what it describes as U.S.-led “unipolar Western hegemony.”

From Washington Times

"Maintaining the unipolar dominance so beloved by American officials is no longer possible."

From Reuters

In a 30-minute diatribe, he accused Western countries of attempting to build a unipolar world.

From BBC

“No longer is our alliance partner, the United States, the unipolar leader of the Indo-Pacific,” the review notes.

From Washington Times

The United States, Australia’s most important defense treaty partner, was “no longer the unipolar leader of the Indo-Pacific,” a region that had seen the return of major power strategic competition, it said.

From Seattle Times