bipolar

adjective

bi·​po·​lar (ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lər 

1

: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views

2

a

: having or involving the use of two poles or polarities

bipolar generators

bipolar ECG leads

b

electronics : relating to, being, or using a transistor in which both electrons and holes (see hole entry 1 sense 1b(3)) are utilized as charge carriers (see carrier sense 2e)

3

: relating to, associated with, or occurring in both polar (see polar entry 1 sense 1a) regions

bipolar species of birds

4

psychology : being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder

bipolar patients

bipolarity

ˌbī-pō-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

noun

bipolarization

(ˌ)bī-ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

bipolarize

(ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

transitive verb

Examples of bipolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The main difference between medications is that people with bipolar 1 may need antipsychotic medications, while people with bipolar 2 can benefit from antidepressants.4 Greatly Affect Functioning and Mood Both bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 are serious conditions. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 27 Nov. 2024

Roan, who may have broken a Lollapalooza attendance record in August, is outspoken with fans about how her bipolar II symptoms have interfered with her career as well as her ability to regulate her emotions and response to success. —Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

But there’s a stereotype that people with mood disorders like bipolar and schizophrenia are always violent. —Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Your bipolar symptoms can stabilize, improve, or worsen over the years. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing bipolar

• bipolar disorder
• bipolar illness

Kids Definition

bipolar

adjective

bi·​po·​lar

(ˌ)bī-ˈpō-lər

1

: having or involving two poles

2

: having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or wholly opposed natures or views

3

: being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder

bipolarity

ˌbī-​pō-​ˈler-​ə-​tē

noun

Medical Definition

bipolar

1 of 2 adjective

bi·​po·​lar

(ˈ)bī-ˈpō-lər

1

: involving or being electrodes or leads attached to two different bodily sites (such as the arms and legs) for recording the difference in electrical potential between the two sites

bipolar encephalograph leads

2

of a neuron : having an efferent and an afferent process

3

: being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder

bipolar depression

bipolar patients

compare unipolar

bipolar

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with bipolar disorder