bilateral

[ bahy-lat-er-uh l ]
/ baɪˈlæt ər əl /

adjective

pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like: a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.
located on opposite sides of an axis; two-sided, especially when of equal size, value, etc.
Biology. pertaining to the right and left sides of a structure, plane, etc.
Chiefly Law. (of a contract) binding the parties to reciprocal obligations.
through both parents equally: bilateral affiliation. Compare unilateral(def 7).

noun

Informal. a bilateral agreement, especially regarding international trade.

Origin of bilateral

First recorded in 1765–75; bi-1 + lateral

OTHER WORDS FROM bilateral

bi·lat·er·al·ism, bi·lat·er·al·ness, noun bi·lat·er·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby bilateral

bikol, bikram yoga, bilabial, bilabiate, bilander, bilateral, bilateral hermaphroditism, bilateral symmetry, bilateral trade, bilateralism, bilayer

British Dictionary definitions for bilateralism

bilateral
/ (baɪˈlætərəl) /

adjective

Derived forms of bilateral

bilaterally, adverb

Medical definitions for bilateralism

bilateral
[ bī-lăt′ər-əl ]

adj.

Having or formed of two sides; two-sided.
Having or marked by bilateral symmetry.

Cultural definitions for bilateralism (1 of 2)

bilateralism
[ (beye-lat-uhr-uh-liz-uhm) ]

Trade dealings between two countries.

notes for bilateralism

Bilateral agreements often create special terms for specific goods traded between two countries.

Cultural definitions for bilateralism (2 of 2)

bilateralism
[ (beye-lat-uhr-uh-liz-uhm) ]

Trade or diplomatic relations between two countries. (See diplomacy and recognition; compare multilateralism and unilateralism.)