multilateral

adjective

mul·​ti·​lat·​er·​al ˌməl-tē-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce multilateral (audio)
-ˌtī-
1
: having many sides
2
: involving or participated in by more than two nations or parties
multilateral agreements
multilateralism noun
multilateralist noun
multilaterally adverb

Did you know?

Since lateral means "side", multilateral means basically "many-sided". The philosophy of multilateralism claims that the best solutions generally result when as many of the world's nations as possible are involved in discussions, and multilateralists often favor strengthening the United Nations. Today multilateralism can be seen at work in, for example, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the International Criminal Court. But the U.S. doesn't always join the major multilateral organizations, instead often behaving as if a unilateral approach—that is, going it alone—was best for the interests of a powerful nation.

Examples of multilateral 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.
The Budapest Memorandum is a multilateral agreement between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine that agreed that the latter would transfer nuclear weaponry to Russia to be dismantled in exchange for security assurances and sovereignty. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Most ACMDs fall outside the scope of national antitrust and international trade laws, are not dealt with under multilateral trade agreements, and enjoy government backing. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 The most significant, inclusive body through which to pursue a broader set of multilateral reforms is the G-20. Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024 The remarks outlined Biden’s vision for how the world should focus on multilateral cooperation and defended fundamental principles such as the U.N. Charter. Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for multilateral 

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multilateral was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near multilateral

Cite this Entry

“Multilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multilateral. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

multilateral

adjective
mul·​ti·​lat·​er·​al ˌməl-ti-ˈlat-ə-rəl How to pronounce multilateral (audio)
-ˌtī-,
-ˈla-trəl
1
: having many sides
2
: involving or taken part in by more than two nations or groups
a multilateral treaty
multilaterally
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on multilateral

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