bipolar

American  

[bahy-poh-ler] / baɪˈpoʊ lər /

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.

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bipolar British  

/ 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

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bipolar Scientific  

/ bī-pō′lər /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• bipolarity
  noun
• bipolarization
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of bipolar

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

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Explanation

The prefix "bi-" means two, so bipolar means having two opposing poles. Often, this is the name of a type of mental illness. Anything with two poles or opposites can be considered bipolar. The yin and yang symbol (black and white or male and female) is an example of bipolar or opposing natures. However, this term is used most often to describe bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, which is when you experience very high highs and very low lows with your emotions. The negative and positive charge on a neuron or a transistor can also be called bipolar.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bipolar

Magaña was diagnosed with bipolar and schizoaffective disorders as a young teen, but growing up in a large, traditional Mexican family, mental health wasn’t talked about as openly as it is today, she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026

Meanwhile Kimberley, who had experienced a "full" manic episode that resulted in a break from reality, was diagnosed with bipolar I.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar is a mental health condition that causes extreme changes in mood.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

It was here that doctors finally realised she had bipolar disorder.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Later on, lithium would revolutionize the treatment of bipolar disorder, but the drug would not be licensed in the United States until 1970.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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