multilateral
adjective
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Since lateral means "side", multilateral means basically "many-sided". The philosophy of multilateralism claims that the best solutions generally result when as many of the world's nations as possible are involved in discussions, and multilateralists often favor strengthening the United Nations. Today multilateralism can be seen at work in, for example, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the International Criminal Court. But the U.S. doesn't always join the major multilateral organizations, instead often behaving as if a unilateral approach—that is, going it alone—was best for the interests of a powerful nation.
Examples of multilateral in a Sentence
Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Charles' mother, Elizabeth II, stressed the importance of democracy, international cooperation and multilateral organizations such as the UN and NATO during her 1991 address to Congress.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
International mechanisms — including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a multilateral coordination group — have been working to bridge that gap since late 2024, without success.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Trump’s approach to foreign policy — characterized by skepticism toward alliances, withdrawal from multilateral agreements and transactional deals — has caused anxiety and distress in Taiwan.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Multilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multilateral. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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multilateral
adjective
