Definition

Adverb: 1. In a way that involves two sides or parts: Refers to an action, arrangement, or relationship that concerns or affects two sides equally or reciprocally. 2. With the involvement of two parties or governments: Describes an agreement, negotiation, or action conducted directly between two specific parties, often two nations.

Usage and Examples

• General Use (Involving Two Sides):
  • The treaty was negotiated bilaterally. (The treaty was negotiated directly between the two countries involved.)
  • The condition affects the body bilaterally. (The medical condition appears on or affects both sides of the body equally.)
• Political/Diplomatic Context:
  • The trade dispute was resolved bilaterally. (The two nations involved solved the trade dispute through direct talks without involving a third party.)
  • The aid was provided bilaterally. (The aid was given directly from one government to another.)

Advanced Usage

• Bilaterally symmetrical: A formal term used in biology and design to describe something (like a face or a butterfly) that can be divided into two mirror-image halves.
  • Most animals are bilaterally symmetrical.
• To act bilaterally: To take action in coordination with one other specific party.
  • The two ministries decided to act bilaterally on the environmental issue.

Variants and Related Words

• Bilateral (adjective): Involving two sides or parties.
  • They signed a bilateral trade agreement.
• Unilaterally (adverb): Done by or involving only one side or party. (This is an antonym.)
  • The country acted unilaterally to impose sanctions.

Synonyms

• Mutually: In a way that is shared or felt by two or more parties.
• Reciprocally: In a corresponding and equivalent way.
• Between two parties: Directly involving two specific groups.

Antonyms

• Unilaterally: In a way that involves only one side.
• Multilaterally: In a way that involves three or more parties or nations.

Adverb

1. so as to involve two sides or parts
2. with the involvement of two parties or governments
   • they worked out an agreement bilaterally