bipolar

[bahy-poh-ler]

adjective

1. having two poles, as the earth.

2. of, relating to, or found at both polar regions.

3. characterized by opposite extremes, as two conflicting political philosophies.

4. Electronics.,  of or relating to a transistor that uses both positive and negative charge carriers.

5. Psychiatry.,  of, relating to, or having bipolar disorder.

   His wife is bipolar.

bipolar

/ baɪˈpəʊlə /

adjective

1. having two poles

   a bipolar dynamo

   a bipolar neuron

2. relating to or found at the North and South Poles

3. having or characterized by two opposed opinions, natures, etc

4. (of a transistor) utilizing both majority and minority charge carriers

5. suffering from bipolar manic-depressive disorder

bipolar

1. Relating to or having two poles or charges.

2. Relating to a semiconductor device, such as a transistor, that exploits the electrical characteristics of contact between two substances, one with an inherent positive charge, the other with an inherent negative charge.

3. Relating to or involving both of the Earth's polar regions.

4. Relating to a neuron that has two processes or extremities.

5. Relating to bipolar disorder.

Other Word Forms

• bipolarity noun
• bipolarization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bipolar¹

First recorded in 1800–10; bi- ¹ + polar

Example Sentences

His studies show that brain cells created from individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or Alzheimer disease display intrinsic metabolic defects that may be corrected even before symptoms emerge.

Read more on Science Daily

China’s increasing warhead levels are creating a tripolar nuclear world, upsetting all the weapons requirements, deterrence strategies and arms-control formulas of the previously bipolar world.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

People with schizophrenia, personality and eating disorders and bipolar have been part of the programme, which the DJ helps to fund personally.

Read more on BBC

Louisdor said he has bipolar disorder, for which he takes medication.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I was misdiagnosed as bipolar, ADD, ADHD, and a few other letters the scientific community had never heard of.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times