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

But bilingualism is reworking the Tsimane' tricolor rainbow, researchers recently reported in Psychological Science—offering a rare, real-time glimpse into how learning a second language can change how people think about abstract concepts and fuel language evolution. —Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2020

My own parents did not teach me Spanish because a teacher had told them, wildly, that bilingualism negatively affects cognitive learning. —Marisa Tirado, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2023

An unusual piñata, and a lesson on fatherhood Spanglish is often described in the context of bilingualism. —Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023

Getting all Canadians on board with bilingualism, however, was easier said than done. —Sam Roberts, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023

There is, says Chung-Fat-Yim, some connection between bilingualism and a theory of mind — the ability to attribute mental states to other people. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2021

Now, educators are more aware of the value of bilingualism. —Sushma Subramanian, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2017

There are some optional dual-immersion schools in California to promote bilingualism, and the state’s high school graduation standards include a requirement to study a language other than English — but only for one year, and it can be evaded by taking art or career technical education classes. —Karen Garciastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2023

While most research on bilingualism compares people who speak two languages to those who just speak one, this study compares bilinguals of different languages and writing systems. —Jamie Dickman, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1