multilateral

adjective

mul·​ti·​lat·​er·​al ˌməl-tē-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl 

-ˌtī-

1

: having many sides

2

: involving or participated in by more than two nations or parties

multilateral agreements

multilateralism

ˌməl-tē-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

-ˌtī-

noun

multilateralist

ˌməl-tē-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-list 

-ˌtī-

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

BlackRock took on less risk by using counterparty clearing and multilateral trading. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024

Foreign policy, global relations On the international stage, Harris would likely continue President Biden's foreign policy of strengthening alliances and reengaging with multilateral institutions. —Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

To this end, Beijing has been promoting regional and multilateral collaboration. —Chan Ka Sing, Reuters, 26 Sep. 2024

Italy must adopt a careful, diplomatic approach—engaging with the US to negotiate alternatives or partnering with the EU in a multilateral DST. —Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

multilateral

adjective

mul·​ti·​lat·​er·​al ˌməl-ti-ˈlat-ə-rəl 

-ˌtī-,

-ˈla-trəl

1

: having many sides

2

: involving or taken part in by more than two nations or groups

a multilateral treaty

multilaterally

-ē

adverb