Meaning & use
multilateral
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Involving three or more countries, groups, or people who act or agree together.
Grammar: Almost always comes before a noun: multilateral talks. Compare bilateral for two parties and unilateral for one.
Patterns
- multilateral agreement
- multilateral negotiations
- multilateral trade talks
- multilateral cooperation
The multilateral agreement was signed by twelve countries at the summit.
After months of multilateral negotiations, the nations reached a compromise on fishing rights.
The crisis required a multilateral response rather than action by a single government.
adjectivebefore a nounmathematicsrare
Having many sides, as some geometric figures do.
Grammar: A rare technical use found in geometry texts; learners meet the diplomatic sense far more often.
Patterns
- multilateral figure
A hexagon is a multilateral figure, although the term is rarely used in geometry lessons.
Common combinations
- multilateral negotiations
- Multilateral negotiations on climate policy continued through the night.
- multilateral agreement
- The treaty is a multilateral agreement between six neighboring states.
- multilateral trade
- The report calls for open multilateral trade rather than new tariffs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- multiparty
- Used when several political parties or organizations take part, especially in talks or a government.
- many-sided
- A plainer, general expression; it does not carry the formal diplomatic tone of multilateral.
Opposites
Word family
- multilateralism noun
- The principle of countries working together through shared institutions and agreements.
- multilaterally adverb
- In a way that involves three or more parties acting together.
- bilateral adjective
- Involving exactly two parties or countries.
- unilateral adjective
- Done by one party or country acting alone.
Commonly confused: multilateral or bilateral? multilateral or unilateral?
multilateral vs bilateral
Bilateral means involving two sides, as in bilateral talks between two nations; multilateral always means three or more.
multilateral vs unilateral
Unilateral describes action taken by one side alone, often without agreement from others.
Practice
A trade deal signed together by twelve countries is best described as ___
Choose one answer.
Twelve countries acting together makes the deal multilateral, meaning three or more parties. Bilateral would fit only two countries, and unilateral would mean one country acting alone.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “multilateral”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.