bilingualism

noun bi·lin·gual·ism \ -gwə-ˌli-zəm \

Definition of bilingualism

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

Recent Examples of bilingualism from the Web

When Comedy Central development executives took a shining to the comedian a few years back and began developing series ideas with him, the group focused on his cultural bilingualism.

— jane borden, VanityFair.com, "James Davis Is the Hood Adjacent Star We Need Right Now," 27 June 2017
When Comedy Central development executives took a shining to the comedian a few years back and began developing series ideas with him, the group focused on his cultural bilingualism.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "James Davis Is the Hood Adjacent Star We Need Right Now," 27 June 2017
The swankiest Expo denizens were the 1,800 or so pavilion hostesses, kitted out in polyester or lamé uniforms and hired for more reasons than just bilingualism.

— jason farago, New York Times, "Expo 2017: Utopia, Rebooted," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bilingualism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.