What does unilateral mean?

Definitions for unilateral
ˌyu nəˈlæt ər əluni·lat·er·al

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word unilateral.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. unilateral, one-sidedadjective

    involving only one part or side

    "unilateral paralysis"; "a unilateral decision"

  2. unilateraladjective

    tracing descent from either the paternal or the maternal line only

Wiktionary

  1. unilateraladjective

    done by one side only

  2. unilateraladjective

    affecting only one side of the body

  3. unilateraladjective

    binding or affecting one party only

Wikipedia

  1. unilateral

    Unilateralism is any doctrine or agenda that supports one-sided action. Such action may be in disregard for other parties, or as an expression of a commitment toward a direction which other parties may find disagreeable. As a word, unilateralism is attested from 1926, specifically relating to unilateral disarmament. The current, broader meaning emerges in 1964. It stands in contrast with multilateralism, the pursuit of foreign policy goals alongside allies. Unilateralism and multilateralism represent different policy approaches to international problems. When agreement by multiple parties is absolutely required—for example, in the context of international trade policies—bilateral agreements (involving two participants at a time) are usually preferred by proponents of unilateralism. Unilateralism may be preferred in those instances when it is assumed to be the most efficient, i.e., in issues that can be solved without cooperation. However, a government may also have a principal preference for unilateralism or multilateralism, and, for instance, strive to avoid policies that cannot be realized unilaterally or alternatively to champion multilateral solutions to problems that could well have been solved unilaterally. Unilateralism as first course of action can be viewed as an act of aggression or hard power, unilateral sanctions violate the United Nations Charter and inhibit development of developing countries.Unilateral action is often elected on behalf of independent leaders with nationalist tendencies and a strong distrust for the intentions of other countries' intervention. In recent years, unilateral action is adjacent with nationalism, protectionism and rejection towards institutions that embody multilateral approach. i.e, the United States adopting protectionist trade policy during the mi-2010s against the multilateral interests of the World Trade Organization.Unilateralism, if unprovoked, has the potential to disrupt the peaceful upholding of sovereignty and territorial integrity that global security depends upon. Unilateral coercive measures against smaller states put a strain on goals of sustainable development. Examples include arbitrarily imposed economic sanctions such as the United States embargo against Cuba.Typically, governments may argue that their ultimate or middle-term goals are served by a strengthening of multilateral schemes and institutions, as was many times the case during the period of the Concert of Europe.

ChatGPT

  1. unilateral

    Unilateral refers to something that is done, decided, or performed by one person, side, party, or nation without the agreement, consultation, or participation of others. It often implies an action taken independently, often emphasizing the exclusion of others' involvement or the disregard for others' interests or concerns. This term can be used in various contexts such as politics, law, medicine, and biology.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Unilateraladjective

    being on one side only; affecting but one side; one-sided

  2. Unilateraladjective

    pertaining to one side; one-sided; as, a unilateral raceme, in which the flowers grow only on one side of a common axis, or are all turned to one side

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Unilateral

    ū-ni-lat′e-ral, adj. one-sided.—n. Unilateral′ity.—adv. Unilat′erally.

How to pronounce unilateral?

How to say unilateral in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of unilateral in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of unilateral in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of unilateral in a Sentence

  1. Federica Mogherini:

    We are committed to a maritime order based on the principles of international law, we oppose any attempt to assert territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion, force or any unilateral actions which would cause further friction.

  2. General John Nicholson:

    We possess the capabilities here if it were necessary to do a unilateral operation.

  3. Park Jin:

    We are opposed to unilateral change of (the) status quo by force. So in that sense, we will make sure that if something happens in the Taiwan Strait, we have to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

  4. Brad McMillan:

    I think it's (the market's decline) a continued reaction to the trade policy situation, we see the United States announce certain unilateral actions, then we're starting to see some of the responses, and I think the markets are getting increasingly worried.

  5. Cynthia Arnson:

    Macri got away from himself when commenting on the sentiment of the region, there is a deep concern about the situation in Venezuela and there is a deep dialogue about what to do, but there is also nobody calling for that tough of a line. That was an exaggeration by Macri because generally Latin America is opposed to any U.S. unilateral action.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

unilateral#10000#22055#100000

Translations for unilateral

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for unilateral »

Translation

Find a translation for the unilateral definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"unilateral." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Jul 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/unilateral>.

Discuss these unilateral definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for unilateral? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    a shortage of rainfall
    A match
    B suffering
    C assortment
    D drought

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for unilateral: