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multilateral Definition

multi·lat·eral (mul′ti lat′ər əl)

adjective

  1. many-sided
  2. participated in by more than two parties, nations, etc. a multilateral treaty

Etymology: multi- + lateral

multilateral Related Forms

mul′ti·lat′·er·al·ism′ noun mul′ti·lat′·er·ally adverb

multilateral Usage Examples

Converse of object

assess: How we assess organizational effectiveness in multilateral aid agencies During 2004, DFID established a framework for assessing the way multilaterals work.

Modifies a noun

  • diplomacy: China has played an active role in multilateral diplomacy.
  • disarmament: There is positive evidence, for example, that public opinion would support the UK taking a leading part in multilateral nuclear disarmament.
  • negotiation: He has covered multilateral trade negotiations from the Uruguay Round on.
  • treaty: Part II covers League of Nations multilateral treaties in chronological order.
  • fora: So this has been communicated in all multilateral fora in which we have participated.
  • cooperation: Governments trade freedom of action for the benefits of multilateral cooperation.

Modifying Another Word

  • truly: Alliances tend, in reality, to be a series of bilateral relationships between airlines rather than truly multilateral.
  • only: Ten reasons why we support the WTO: WTO is the only multilateral forum which gives developing countries a say in global trade rules.

Noun used with modifier

way: How we assess organizational effectiveness in multilateral aid agencies During 2004, DFID established a framework for assessing the way multilaterals work.