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

Ye, who has apologised for past remarks and ​said they were linked to untreated bipolar disorder, has continued ‌to perform in countries that have welcomed ⁠him, and is due to hold a concert in Istanbul ⁠later on Saturday. —Reuters, NBC news, 30 May 2026

Over the years, doctors reportedly diagnosed him with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania, and both are commonly part of bipolar disorder. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

Murray was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has now retired from acting. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 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