multipolar

[ muhl-tee-poh-ler, muhl-tahy- ]

adjective

1. having several or many poles.
2. (of nerve cells) having more than two dendrites.

Other Words From

• mul·ti·po·lar·i·ty [muhl-tee-poh-, lar, -i-tee, -p, uh, -, muhl-tahy-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of multipolar¹

First recorded in 1855–60; multi- + polar

Example Sentences

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the post-Cold War period is over, and the world is moving toward a new multipolar era already marked by the highest level of geopolitical tensions and major power competition in decades.

From Seattle Times

“We are working in solidarity on the formulation of a more just and democratic multipolar world order,” he said.

From New York Times

“Russia and China aren’t alone in their efforts to reform an international system and help establish a multipolar global order,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Xi’s visit, Vegh wrote in a statement, shows that Hungary’s government “remains indifferent to its allies’ concerns and will continue to strengthen its bilateral ties with China in order to position itself favorably in what it perceives as a developing multipolar world.”

From Seattle Times

The chemistry between Xi and Macron — who visited China just over a year ago, and echoed the Chinese lexicon of a “multipolar” world, freed of “blocs” — appears to lie in a shared view that the postwar order must be replaced.

From New York Times