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

In the unfiltered message, the Atlanta native announced he’s been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has been spending time in rehab. —Olivia Laborde, AJC.com, 18 June 2026

In April, Lil Nas X was granted entry into a mental health diversion program as a Los Angeles judge found that his August 2025 arrest was linked to his subsequent diagnosis of bipolar disorder. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

People with a bipolar disorder diagnosis more commonly experience depressive episodes. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026

After struggling with a history of mental illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, a 44-year-old woman was admitted to Albany Care psychiatric facility in Evanston in 2023 for her own health and safety. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 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