multilateral

adjective

mul·​ti·​lat·​er·​al ˌməl-tē-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce multilateral (audio)
-ˌtī-
1
: having many sides
2
: involving or participated in by more than two nations or parties
multilateral agreements
multilateralism noun
multilateralist noun
multilaterally adverb

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web
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Three drivers include geopolitical conflict, a shift toward multi-polarity in thinking through the rise of multilateral institutions beyond a U.S.-led global order, and the U.S. policy environment. Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 20 May 2025 For more than a decade, the Communist Party of China has positioned itself as a vocal opponent of terrorism in global fora, invoking the language of stability, responsibility, and multilateral cooperation. Jianli Yang, National Review, 18 May 2025 Russian forces were on the outskirts of Kyiv, so negotiators had no time for multilateral diplomacy. Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2025 In a further bid to multilateral engagement, Indonesia has initiated plans to pursue membership in two transnational economic groupings: the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Gilang Kembara, The Conversation, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for multilateral

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multilateral was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Multilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multilateral. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

multilateral

adjective
mul·​ti·​lat·​er·​al ˌməl-ti-ˈlat-ə-rəl How to pronounce multilateral (audio)
-ˌtī-,
-ˈla-trəl
1
: having many sides
2
: involving or taken part in by more than two nations or groups
a multilateral treaty
multilaterally
adverb

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