multilateral

[ muhl-ti-lat-er-uhl ]

adjective

1. having several or many sides; many-sided.
2. participated in by more than two nations, parties, etc.; multipartite:

   multilateral agreements on disarmament.

multilateral

/ ˌmʌltɪˈlætərəl; -ˈlætrəl /

adjective

1. of or involving more than two nations or parties

   a multilateral pact

2. having many sides

Derived Forms

• ˌmultiˈlaterally, adverb

Other Words From

• multi·later·al·ism noun
• multi·later·al·ist adjective noun
• multi·later·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of multilateral¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; multi- + lateral

Example Sentences

The AU Commission worked with the UN and other multilateral organisations to construct an "African peace and security architecture" that ranged from proactive diplomacy to avert looming conflicts through to coordinated mediation efforts and peacekeeping operations, all underpinned by norms and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the AU Constitutive Act.

From BBC

His successor will face the challenge that Africa’s best formula for peace and security lies in norm-based multilateral cooperation, but 2025 will be an inauspicious year for reviving that project.

From BBC

Delhi has important partnerships, both bilateral and multilateral, inside and outside the West.

From BBC

The Sazanami, a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer, passed through the strait from north to south on Wednesday while on its way to participate in multilateral drills in the South China Sea, government sources were quoted as saying.

From BBC

As U.S. decline first became apparent in 2011, he argued that Washington’s ability to shape world politics would diminish, but “the liberal international order will survive and thrive,” preserving its core elements of multilateral governance, free trade and human rights.

From Salon