bilingualism

noun

bi·​lin·​gual·​ism (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the ability to speak two languages

2

: the frequent use (as by a community) of two languages

3

: the political or institutional recognition of two languages

Examples of bilingualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trudeau père achieved a legislative commitment to bilingualism, the constitutional entrenchment of multiculturalism, and the defeat of the first referendum on Quebec separation. —Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025

Think of it as cognitive bilingualism. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Longoria doesn’t try to recreate that glory but applies a similar formula, adding a pinch of Mexican cultural identity and bilingualism to a recipe that worked so well for the Rob-and-Ryan series. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025

Kraus has written extensively on music, concussions, aging, speech, bilingualism, autism, technology and HIV through her work. —Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bilingualism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism