dual-purpose

American

[doo-uhl-pur-puhs, dyoo-] / ˈdu əlˈpɜr pəs, ˈdyu- /

adjective

serving two functions.

a dual-purpose database for research and teaching.
(of cattle) bred for two purposes, as to provide beef and milk.

dual-purpose British

adjective

having or serving two functions

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dual-purpose

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"In the absence of that dual-purpose, civil-military maritime mass, I don't think they can invade Taiwan," Shugart said.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Also to the Jeep’s advantage is its dual-purpose nature; it’s equally at home on paved surfaces or when venturing off-road.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2024

The projectiles being sent to Ukraine are commonly referred to by the name given to those small grenades: dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, or D.P.I.C.M. — and pronounced by some officials as dee-PICK-’ems.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2023

Mr Le Bouthillier added that China does this using "dual-purpose technologies", meaning devices that conduct surveillance both for research and military purposes.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2023

Then about 1956 there was a change to dual-purpose treatment; in addition to a fungicide, dieldrin, aldrin, or heptachlor was added to combat soil insects.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023