multipolar

American  

[muhl-tee-poh-ler, muhl-tahy-] / ˌmʌl tiˈpoʊ lər, ˌmʌl taɪ- /

adjective

1. having several or many poles.

2. (of nerve cells) having more than two dendrites.

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Other Word Forms

• multipolarity noun

Etymology

Origin of multipolar

First recorded in 1855–60; multi- + polar

Example Sentences

“We’re seeing this shift toward a more multipolar world, which we believe is still underway,” Phillips said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

A European reserve manager was quoted as saying “we are moving from a bipolar to a multipolar reserve system, but the euro is not ready yet to lead.”

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

Over the years, many multipolar efforts have fallen by the wayside, including the Non-Aligned Movement, the New International Economic Order, the Group of 77 and the World Social Forum.

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2025

Markets will watch for efforts to give the yuan a bigger role on the global stage after China’s central bank chief laid out a vision of a more multipolar monetary system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Dynamo, alternating, 164, 174; brushes, 172; compound, 174; continuous-current, 165; multipolar, 169; series wound, 173; shunt wound, 173; simple, 161, 162.

From How it Works Dealing in simple language with steam, electricity, light, heat, sound, hydraulics, optics, etc., and with their applications to apparatus in common use by Williams, Archibald