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trilateral

trilateral

4 7.4
Having three sides or involving three countries
  • adjective
  • /traɪˈlætərəl/
: trilateral
  • Trilateral cooperation through the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group will contribute to improved inter-Korean relations.
  • trilateral agreement
  • trilateral cooperation
  • trilateral relationship

I think he was talking about trilateral China, Russia, US sort of plan to, you know, lower them.

Examples

  • The conference focused on trilateral relations between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

  • The current situation in trilateral relations is not productive.

    Academic text (2002)
  • One possible complexity is the trilateral discussions on a free trade area between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The rulemaking in this instance had its origins in a trilateral context.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Third, Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo must maintain solid trilateral cooperation in dealing with North Korea.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The leaders of the three countries met to discuss their trilateral agreement on trade.

  • Creating a trilateral partnership can enhance cooperation among involved nations.

Synonyms

three-way
vstrilateral
63 3.9

Involving three people, groups or parts

can also mean a simple geometric shape with three edges, not only relations
triangular
vstrilateral
22 2.7

A shape with three straight sides and three angles

also covers situations with three parties or groups as well as shape
three-sided
vstrilateral
10 1.5

Having three sides

also applies to cases with three parties or groups not just shape
three-party
vstrilateral
4 4.9

Involving three different people or groups who take part

also applies to shapes with three edges and general threefold situations
tripartite
vstrilateral
  • Formal
3 7.9

Involving three groups working together

is also used for shapes with three edges and relations among three parties
three-cornered
vstrilateral
1 5.0

Involving three people or groups

can also describe simple shapes with three edges rather than only groups
trinational
vstrilateral
1 6.8

Involving three countries that work together

is more general, covering three sides or groups not limited to countries
tricornered
vstrilateral
7.3

Involving three people or groups in a disagreement

is broader, covering shapes and neutral relations among three entities

How Many Parties

multilateral
  • Formal
21 6.3
trilateral
4 7.4
bilateral
53 6.0
unilateral
44 7.2

Surface Forms

trilateral positive
trilateraler comparative
trilateralist superlative

Morphology

trilateral = lateral (transparent) = tri + lateral

Meaning is directly built from 'tri' (three) + 'lateral' (relating to sides), giving 'three-sided' or 'involving three parties'.

Etymology

Trilateral comes from the parts tri- meaning 'three' and lateral meaning 'side'. So, when something is trilateral, it has 'three sides' or involves three parties, groups, or countries.