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

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

Therefore, from the beginning of the project, bilingualism has been present, and Spanish-language titles are abundant. —Albinson Linares, NBC news, 5 July 2025

Ditto a decrease in literacy, bilingualism and knowledge in general as immigrants withdraw from no-longer-safe schools, colleges and ESL programs. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 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