multilateral
adjective
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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
Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
Even if a multilateral nuclear force provided enhanced capabilities and thus a higher level of deterrence—whose benefits would also redound to the French and the British—the question of who held the ultimate launch authority would likely outweigh any other considerations.
—Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon but has significantly ramped up levels of uranium enrichment since Trump abandoned a previous multilateral nuclear agreement during his first administration in 2018.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
There is no multilateral coordination or standardization on public CbC reporting, and this could provide an opportunity to advance that objective.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Multilateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multilateral. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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multilateral
adjective
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