bilateral

American  

[bahy-lat-er-uhl] / baɪˈlæt ər əl /

adjective

1. pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like.

   a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.

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

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

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

5. through both parents equally.

   bilateral affiliation.

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noun

1. Informal. a bilateral agreement, especially regarding international trade.

bilateral British  

/ baɪˈlætərəl /

adjective

1. having or involving two sides

2. affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutual

   a bilateral treaty

3. denoting or relating to bilateral symmetry

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

5. sociol relating to descent through both maternal and paternal lineage Compare unilateral

6. relating to an education that combines academic and technical courses

7. a bilateral meeting

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Other Word Forms

• bilateralism noun
• bilaterally adverb
• bilateralness noun

Etymology

Origin of bilateral

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

Example Sentences

“As the two countries work together to identify and preserve that shared space,” he said, “a more sustainable basis for bilateral economic relations can be established.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

A State Department spokesperson said all bilateral relations fact sheets were archived and removed because most hadn’t been updated in more than two years, leaving them potentially outdated or inaccurate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Any chances of major breakthroughs on trade "seem limited", according to Dan Wang, a director on Eurasia Group's China team, with bilateral trust low after years of disputes over trade, technology and rights.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Making a statement to MPs, Cooper said direct bilateral aid funding would be reduced but support to "proven global partnerships", including the vaccine alliance Gavi, would continue.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

To those who are genuinely concerned, I push a button to say, “I have spastic bilateral quadriplegia, also known as cerebral palsy. It limits my body, but not my mind.”

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• mutual
• reciprocal