bipartite

American  

[bahy-pahr-tahyt] / baɪˈpɑr taɪt /

adjective

1. divided into or consisting of two parts.

2. Law. being in two corresponding parts.

   a bipartite contract.

3. shared by two; joint.

   a bipartite pact; bipartite rule.

4. Botany. divided into two parts nearly to the base, as a leaf.

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bipartite British  

/ baɪˈpɑːtaɪt, ˌbaɪpɑːˈtɪʃən /

adjective

1. consisting of or having two parts

2. affecting or made by two parties; bilateral

   a bipartite agreement

3. botany (esp of some leaves) divided into two parts almost to the base

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Other Word Forms

• bipartitely adverb
• bipartition noun

Etymology

Origin of bipartite

1500–10; < Latin bipartītus divided into two parts, bisected (past participle of bipartīre ). See bi- ¹, part, -ite ²

Explanation

Anything bipartite has two parts or features. A bipartite agreement has two elements. Words starting with bi usually involve two things, and that's the very definition of this word: things that have two parts are bipartite. It's often used (in botany, for example) to describe two-part things joined at the base, like leaves. An animal’s hoof that has two halves is bipartite. For abstract things, the word usually suggests entirely separate parts forming a single thing: bipartite agreements/rules/legislatures. If something has three parts instead of two, it's tripartite.

Example Sentences

As a result, athletes have been able to return to FIS competitions and the 10 athletes have been awarded bipartite commission invitations to compete at the Paralympics.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

Brian De Palma’s adaptation of John Farris’ novel wasn’t nearly as popular as the director’s classic “Carrie,” probably due its complicated, bipartite story.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2021

This circumstance owes to the drama’s peculiar, bipartite structure.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2018

Acta began its life in 2006, as part of a bipartite conversation between the US and Japan.

From The Guardian • Jul. 5, 2012

Adj. bisected &c. v.; cloven, cleft; bipartite, biconjugate†, bicuspid, bifid; bifurcous†, bifurcate, bifurcated; distichous, dichotomous, furcular†; semi-, demi-, hemi†.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark