bipolar

adjective

bi·​po·​lar (ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lər How to pronounce bipolar (audio)
1
: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views
2
a
: having or involving the use of two poles or polarities
bipolar generators
bipolar ECG leads
b
electronics : relating to, being, or using a transistor in which both electrons and holes (see hole entry 1 sense 1b(3)) are utilized as charge carriers (see carrier sense 2e)
3
: relating to, associated with, or occurring in both polar (see polar entry 1 sense 1a) regions
bipolar species of birds
4
psychology : being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolar patients
bipolarity noun
bipolarize transitive verb

Examples of bipolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The danger comes from her husband, August, Benzini’s possibly bipolar owner and ringmaster. Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 And my husband and I have a daughter, Courtney, who is 16 years sober and bipolar. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Toyota plans to construct these as bipolar batteries, where the active materials for the anode and cathode are on either side of a common electrode carrier rather than having separate electrodes for each. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2023 Miller told police he had been diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, according to the court documents. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 The documents note that seven tablets of his bipolar medication, as well as pills for his diabetes and hypothyroidism, were sent to the housing unit. Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2024 Even though his character is prone to questionable choices, Cameron Monaghan's honest portrayal of a gay, bipolar teenager won him much acclaim. Huntley Woods, EW.com, 13 Nov. 2023 Toyota wants to combine its bipolar electrode structure with a high percentage of nickel in the cathode to create a pack with extremely long range—up to 621 miles (1,000 km). Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2023 In it, Maria Paz, an undocumented Mexican immigrant looking after her bipolar sister, becomes a fugitive after being falsely accused of murder. John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bipolar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bipolar was in 1806

Dictionary Entries Near bipolar

Cite this Entry

“Bipolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bipolar. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bipolar

adjective
bi·​po·​lar
(ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lər
1
: having or involving two poles
2
: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or wholly opposed natures or views
3
: being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolarity
ˌbī-​pō-​ˈler-​ə-​tē
noun

Medical Definition

bipolar

1 of 2 adjective
bi·​po·​lar
(ˈ)bī-ˈpō-lər
1
: involving or being electrodes or leads attached to two different bodily sites (such as the arms and legs) for recording the difference in electrical potential between the two sites
bipolar encephalograph leads
2
of a neuron : having an efferent and an afferent process
3
: being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolar depression
bipolar patients
compare unipolar

bipolar

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with bipolar disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on bipolar

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