unipolar
adjective
uni·po·lar
ˌyü-ni-ˈpō-lər 
1
: having or oriented in respect to a single pole: such as
a
: having or involving the use of a single magnetic or electrical pole
b
: based on or controlled by a single factor or view
China mistrusts a unipolar, U.S.-dominated world.—
Thomas A. Stewart
Thomas A. Stewart2
psychology
: being, characteristic of, or affected by unipolar depression
unipolar depressive episodes
unipolar patients
Examples of unipolar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indian policymakers see no viable alternatives: the world is not reverting to a unipolar world order led by the United States; an alliance is not on offer in a bipolar world of competing American and Chinese blocs; and a bipolar condominium of China and the United States would marginalize India.
—Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
Toward a multipolar world The post-Cold War period briefly ushered in a unipolar moment, with the U.S. as the sole great power capable of shaping the international system on a global scale.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 16 July 2025
These are areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense regions of open and unipolar magnetic fields, NOAA explains.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 June 2025
America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also contributed significantly to the squandering of its unipolar moment and setting off the decline of the American century.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
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Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
Toward a multipolar world The post-Cold War period briefly ushered in a unipolar moment, with the U.S. as the sole great power capable of shaping the international system on a global scale.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 16 July 2025
These are areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense regions of open and unipolar magnetic fields, NOAA explains.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 June 2025
America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also contributed significantly to the squandering of its unipolar moment and setting off the decline of the American century.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unipolar
Cite this Entry
“Unipolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unipolar. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
unipolar
adjective
uni·po·lar
ˌyü-ni-ˈpō-lər
1
: involving or being an electrode or lead attached to the surface of a bodily site (as the chest) for recording the difference in electrical potential between the site and that of another electrode or lead having zero potential
2
of a neuron
: having but one process
3
: being, characteristic of, or affected by unipolar depression
unipolar depressive episodes
unipolar patients
compare bipolar
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