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

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

Moscow is not likely to react to the visit as it has also been making concessions for Delhi’s multilateral approach to geopolitics.

From BBC

The Organization of American States, the region’s largest multilateral organization, failed to muster majority approval of a mildly worded call for transparency.

From Los Angeles Times

The White House also has been quick to credit the vice-president, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, for playing a key role in negotiating details of the complex multilateral prisoner exchange with US allies.

From BBC