bilingualism

noun

bi·​lin·​gual·​ism (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the ability to speak two languages

2

: the frequent use (as by a community) of two languages

3

: the political or institutional recognition of two languages

Examples of bilingualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump’s move will have little practical effect, since the increase in bilingualism in the United States has been driven by high levels of immigration from Spanish-speaking countries rather than direct government action. —Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Mar. 2025

In analyzing neighborhoods, marketers should consider the broader implications of bilingualism and identity. —Mike Villalobos, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

The new sort of bilingualism needed for executives is the fluency to speak business while understanding the new language of AI terminology and concepts, such as knowing the difference between supervised learning and unsupervised learning. —Cam Linke, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Canada, for example, has done just fine by adopting bilingualism. —Bruce Bueno De Mesquita, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bilingualism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism