Bilateral
/baɪˈlætərəl/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
Having two sides or parts; affecting both sides equally.
/baɪˈlætərəl/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General
Having two sides; affecting both sides.
The surgery was bilateral, affecting both sides of the body.
💡 Simply: Having two sides.
More Examples
2
The negotiations led to a bilateral trade agreement.
How It's Used
Medical
"The doctor confirmed a bilateral lung infection."
Political
"The treaty represents a bilateral agreement between the two nations."
From Latin *bi- 'two' + *lateralis 'of the side'. It entered English in the late 16th century.
The term has seen consistent usage since its introduction, mainly in formal contexts.
Memory tip
Think 'bi' (two) and 'lateral' (side).
Practice
Base: lateral
bylateralbilaterialbilataral
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written