bipartisan

[bahy-pahr-tuh-zuhn]

adjective

1. representing, characterized by, or including members from two parties or factions.

   Government leaders hope to achieve a bipartisan foreign policy.

bipartisan

/ baɪˈpɑːtɪˌzæn, ˌbaɪpɑːtɪˈzæn /

adjective

1. consisting of or supported by two political parties

Other Word Forms

• bipartisanism noun
• bipartisanship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bipartisan¹

First recorded in 1905–10; bi- ¹ + partisan ¹

Example Sentences

Ever since Hoover’s death in 1972, presidents have typically nominated independent candidates with bipartisan support and law enforcement roots to run the FBI.

From Salon

Some senators, including Democrat Ruben Gallego of Arizona, are exploring a bipartisan offramp from the crisis, including a potential continuing resolution that would reopen the government for roughly a week to provide room for negotiations.

From Los Angeles Times

“The appropriations process has to be less bipartisan,” he said.

From Salon

Earlier this week, the bipartisan Hellenic Caucus in the US Congress warned against allowing Turkey to buy F-35s, citing its military co-operation with Russia and a "disregard for international norms and democratic principles".

From BBC

So it’s not entirely surprising that a bipartisan congressional immigration reform bill, the Dignity Act of 2025, was introduced in July by a Florida Republican and a Texas Democrat.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does bipartisan mean?

Bipartisan means including two parties or factions, especially ones that typically oppose each other.Bipartisan is used in the context of political systems that have two dominant parties. Bipartisan is most often used to describe actions or solutions intended to counteract partisan politics, which refers to a situation in which members of each party vote along party lines and refuse to compromise.Example: Approving the budget before the deadline will take a bipartisan effort.