bipolar

adjective

bi·​po·​lar (ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lər How to pronounce bipolar (audio)
1
: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views
2
a
: having or involving the use of two poles or polarities
bipolar generators
bipolar ECG leads
b
electronics : relating to, being, or using a transistor in which both electrons and holes (see hole entry 1 sense 1b(3)) are utilized as charge carriers (see carrier sense 2e)
3
: relating to, associated with, or occurring in both polar (see polar entry 1 sense 1a) regions
bipolar species of birds
4
psychology : being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolar patients
bipolarity noun
bipolarize transitive verb

Examples of bipolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It's often associated with major depressive, bipolar or substance use disorders, report co-author and senior policy director at Healthier Colorado Christina Walker tells us. Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025 None of the usual descriptors of world order apply anymore: the international system is not unipolar or bipolar or multipolar. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 While Brin hardly ever talks to the press and keeps his life private, all three conditions—Parkinson’s, bipolar and autism—have affected members of his family. Phoebe Liu, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2025 Pino had previously committed Richard to a psychiatric hospital under the state’s Baker Act, one of nine times Richard was involuntarily committed; diagnosed variously as suicidal, paranoid, delusional and bipolar; given temporary stabilizing medication, and released within days. Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bipolar

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bipolar was in 1806

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Cite this Entry

“Bipolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bipolar. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

bipolar

adjective
bi·​po·​lar
(ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lər
1
: having or involving two poles
2
: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or wholly opposed natures or views
3
: being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolarity
ˌbī-​pō-​ˈler-​ə-​tē
noun

Medical Definition

bipolar

1 of 2 adjective
bi·​po·​lar
(ˈ)bī-ˈpō-lər
1
: involving or being electrodes or leads attached to two different bodily sites (such as the arms and legs) for recording the difference in electrical potential between the two sites
bipolar encephalograph leads
2
of a neuron : having an efferent and an afferent process
3
: being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolar depression
bipolar patients
compare unipolar

bipolar

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with bipolar disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on bipolar

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