multipolar

adjective

mul·​ti·​po·​lar ˌməl-tē-ˈpō-lər How to pronounce multipolar (audio)
-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 How to pronounce multipolar (audio)
-ˈla-rə-tē
-ˌtī-
noun

Examples of multipolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Advocating an effective ‘multipolar’ world Guterres said a multipolar world needs strong, effective multilateral institutions where all countries work together to solve the world’s challenges. Edith M. Lederer, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2023 Indian officials have been advocating in favor of a multipolar world order in which New Delhi is seen as indispensable to global solutions. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023 Calls by Russia and China for a multipolar world are supported in Africa, where many nations resent Western pressure to pick sides in the war against Ukraine. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 July 2023 The expansion signifies an important move in the attempt to reshape the global order into a multipolar world, with voices from the Global South at the center of the international agenda. Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2023 Even many Americans take it for granted that the world is now multipolar. Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023 The world appears increasingly multipolar, with different blocs operating on very different terms. David Michels, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Erdogan’s Turkey operates on the premise that the West is in decline and that a multipolar world is emerging, which ostensibly provides openings for Turkey’s rise to great-power status. Asli Aydintasbas, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2023 Attending the summit was expected to be a key moment in Putin’s diplomatic calendar for 2023, part of a Kremlin effort to portray him as a leader with many strong global allies, shaping a new multipolar world order as a challenge to the United States. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 July 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multipolar was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near multipolar

Cite this Entry

“Multipolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multipolar. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Medical Definition

multipolar

adjective
mul·​ti·​po·​lar ˌməl-ti-ˈpō-lər How to pronounce multipolar (audio) -ˌtī- How to pronounce multipolar (audio)
1
: having several poles
multipolar mitoses
2
: having several dendrites
multipolar nerve cells
multipolarity noun
plural multipolarities
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!