bilateral

[ bahy-lat-er-uhl ]

/ baɪˈlæt ər əl /

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See synonyms for bilateral on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like: a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.

located on opposite sides of an axis; two-sided, especially when of equal size, value, etc.

Biology. pertaining to the right and left sides of a structure, plane, etc.

Chiefly Law. (of a contract) binding the parties to reciprocal obligations.

through both parents equally: bilateral affiliation.Compare unilateral (def. 7).

noun

Informal. a bilateral agreement, especially regarding international trade.

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Origin of bilateral

First recorded in 1765–75; bi-¹ + lateral

OTHER WORDS FROM bilateral

bi·lat·er·al·ism, bi·lat·er·al·ness, nounbi·lat·er·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby bilateral

Bikol, Bikram yoga, bilabial, bilabiate, bilander, bilateral, bilateralism, bilateral symmetry, bilateral trade, Bila Tserkva, bilayer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bilateral in a sentence

Sinan Ülgen, a former Turkish diplomat who now chairs the Istanbul-based think tank Edam, says Turkey and Russia would strive to find a way through the conflict without harming their bilateral relationship.
Turkey Stokes Caucasus Conflict, Riles Russia|Charu Kasturi|September 30, 2020|Ozy
Several wealthy countries have already negotiated bilateral deals with Covid-19 vaccine developers to secure vaccines for their citizens.
Most of Africa will not have access to Covid-19 vaccines for up to a year after approval|Uwagbale Edward-Ekpu|August 6, 2020|Quartz
Given that many governments are now in bilateral negotiations with manufacturers to secure the doses they need, even before it is known whether the vaccine will succeed, we are now at a critical juncture.
In the COVID-19 vaccine race, nobody wins unless everyone wins|matthewheimer|July 8, 2020|Fortune
By taking a purely “me-first,” bilateral approach, not only do those governments risk ending up with no vaccines at all, but they also expose their citizens to the risk of resurgence by leaving the majority of the world to go without.
In the COVID-19 vaccine race, nobody wins unless everyone wins|matthewheimer|July 8, 2020|Fortune

Quite bilateral, not leveraging our allies and partners who have shared interests with us and who have some of the same issues with China, and not leveraging the power of a coalition in confronting China on some of these issues.
Will Covid-19 Spark a Cold War (or Worse) With China? (Ep. 414)|Stephen J. Dubner|April 23, 2020|Freakonomics
Now the question in Colombia, is, will a bilateral ceasefire be announced in coming days?
Did The U.S.-Cuba Deal Help Drive A Rebel Ceasefire in Colombia?|Richard McColl|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the past, Santos has been stubbornly opposed to a bilateral ceasefire, but his position on the issue may be shifting.
Did The U.S.-Cuba Deal Help Drive A Rebel Ceasefire in Colombia?|Richard McColl|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That said, I am not as sanguine about the future of the U.S.-Egypt bilateral relationship.
Let's Get Real: Washington Can't Walk Away From Cairo|Frank G. Wisner|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Al-Huthaili is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia and the two countries are not bound by a bilateral extradition treaty.
Saudi Beauty Says She Robbed Banks for Her Mafia Lover|Caitlin Dickson|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kirby said this would include "exercises, bilateral meetings, port visits and planning conferences."
Pentagon Freezing Its Relationship With Russian Military|Eli Lake|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In rare instances the eruption has been observed to be bilateral.
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon
Till the close of stage C the mesoblast retains its primitive bilateral condition unaltered.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
The cells of both layers are quite continuous across the median line, and exhibit no trace of a bilateral arrangement.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
On the other hand, the cnidaria develop into higher radial (star-shaped) persons, and the platodes into lower bilateral persons.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel
The bilateral-symmetrical type is general among the higher animals which move about freely.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel

British Dictionary definitions for bilateral

bilateral

/ (baɪˈlætərəl) /

adjective

having or involving two sides

affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutuala bilateral treaty

denoting or relating to bilateral symmetry

having identical sides or parts on each side of an axis; symmetrical

sociol relating to descent through both maternal and paternal lineageCompare unilateral (def. 5)

British relating to an education that combines academic and technical courses

a bilateral meeting

Derived forms of bilateral

bilaterally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bilateral

Origin of bilateral

OTHER WORDS FROM bilateral

Words nearby bilateral

Words related to bilateral

How to use bilateral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bilateral

Derived forms of bilateral