multilateral

[muhl-ti-lat-er-uh l]

adjective

having several or many sides; many-sided.

participated in by more than two nations, parties, etc.; multipartite: multilateral agreements on disarmament.

Origin of multilateral

First recorded in 1690–1700; multi- + lateral

Related formsmul·ti·lat·er·al·ism, nounmul·ti·lat·er·al·ist, adjective, nounmul·ti·lat·er·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for multilateralism

Contemporary Examples of multilateralism

I wonder if Wolf and Gladstone are willing to describe that as evidence of multilateralism.
Obama and Merkel Play Friends for the Cameras
Russell A. Berman
June 5, 2011
It's hard to see the multilateralism in it—nearly as hard as it is to find Europeans on the front lines.
Obama and Merkel Play Friends for the Cameras
Russell A. Berman
June 5, 2011
Finally, in foreign policy, he has set the stage for engagement and multilateralism.
Following in JFK's Footsteps
Doris Kearns Goodwin
January 19, 2010
He only scratched the surface in his calls for multilateralism and mutual understanding.
Amateur Hour at the White House
Leslie H. Gelb
November 22, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for multilateralism

multilateral

adjective

of or involving more than two nations or partiesa multilateral pact

having many sides

Derived Formsmultilaterally, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for multilateralism

1928, from multilateral + -ism.

multilateral

adj.

also multi-lateral, 1690s, in geometry, "having many sides," from multi- + Latin latus (genitive lateris) "side" (see oblate (n.)). Figurative use by 1748. Meaning "pertaining to three or more countries" is from 1802. Related: Multilaterally.

multilateralism in Culture

multilateralism

[(mul-tee-lat-uhr-uh-liz-uhm)]

Trade or diplomatic negotiations among several nations. (See diplomacy and recognition; compare bilateralism (see also bilateralism) and unilateralism.)