bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania

called also bipolar illness, manic depression

Examples of bipolar disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

AntiMood stabilizers support people who have mood swings because of conditions such as bipolar disorder, personality disorder and schizophrenia. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder is the single strongest risk factor for PPP, along with having a previous psychiatric episode. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026

During Mica and John-Paul’s engagement, Mica was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Mica and John-Paul left their respective spouses and wed in 2017—six days after her release from a mental health facility, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bipolar disorder

• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder
• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Kids Definition

bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania

Medical Definition

bipolar disorder

noun

: any of several mood disorders characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania

Note: The mania experienced in bipolar disorder may be of the euphoric or irritable type or both.

called also bipolar affective disorder, bipolar illness, manic depression, manic-depressive illness

compare major depressive disorder