Trilateral: meaning, definitions and examples

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trilateral

 

[ traɪˈlæt.ər.əl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

political agreements

Trilateral refers to a three-sided relationship or agreement, particularly among three parties or nations. It often denotes formal political, economic, or strategic discussions that involve three distinct entities working together.

Synonyms

three-party, three-sided, tripartite

Examples of usage

  • The trilateral talks were aimed at improving diplomatic relations.
  • A trilateral agreement was signed between the three countries.
  • The trilateral summit addressed key global issues.
  • They formed a trilateral partnership to enhance economic cooperation.

Translations

Translations of the word "trilateral" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trilateral

🇮🇳 त्रैतीयक

🇩🇪 dreiseitig

🇮🇩 trilateral

🇺🇦 трикутний

🇵🇱 trójstronny

🇯🇵 三者間の

🇫🇷 trilatéral

🇪🇸 trilateral

🇹🇷 üç taraflı

🇰🇷 삼자 간의

🇸🇦 ثلاثي الجانب

🇨🇿 trojstranný

🇸🇰 trojstranný

🇨🇳 三方的

🇸🇮 tristranski

🇮🇸 þrístefnuvídd

🇰🇿 үшжақты

🇬🇪 სამმხრივი

🇦🇿 üçtərəfli

🇲🇽 trilateral

Etymology

The term 'trilateral' derives from the Latin roots 'tri-' meaning 'three' and 'lateral' meaning 'sides.' It began to emerge in political and diplomatic discourse in the mid-20th century, particularly during the Cold War, as nations sought to navigate complex relationships with multiple international actors. The usage of 'trilateral' became more prominent with the formation of various multilateral organizations and agreements, evolving into a term widely used to describe cooperative efforts between three entities, whether they be countries or organizations. Notably, the concept of trilateral diplomacy was established to facilitate communication and negotiation in situations where bilateral discussions were insufficient. Over time, 'trilateral' has been applied in various contexts, including economic agreements, security pacts, and environmental initiatives, reflecting the increasing interdependence in global affairs.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,419 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.