multipolar

adjective

mul·​ti·​po·​lar ˌməl-tē-ˈpō-lər 

-ˌtī-

1

: having several poles (see pole entry 3)

a multipolar generator

multipolar mitoses

2

: having several dendrites

multipolar neurons

3

: characterized by more than two centers of power or interest

a multipolar world

multipolarity

ˌməl-tē-pō-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-tē

-ˌtī-

noun

Examples of multipolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years, Iranian officials have repeatedly advocated a multipolar world and the end of the days of America standing as the sole superpower. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

What may have looked like leverage in 2017 now risks alienating allies, destabilizing domestic industries, and accelerating the very multipolar world the U.S. seeks to forestall. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Trump’s foreign policy is hastening the arrival of a multipolar world by unleashing and accelerating forces that will be difficult to reverse. —Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

In the absence of consistent U.S. engagement, Malaysia and its neighbors are pursuing strategic pluralism that reflects a multipolar world. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for multipolar

• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar
• circumpolar
• equimolar
• monopolar
• nucleolar
• unipolar
• vacuolar
• arteriolar
• microcontroller
• bipolar

Medical Definition

multipolar

adjective

mul·​ti·​po·​lar ˌməl-ti-ˈpō-lər  -ˌtī- 

1

: having several poles

multipolar mitoses

2

: having several dendrites

multipolar nerve cells

multipolarity

-pō-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

plural multipolarities