bilateral visit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bilateral visit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a visit involving two parties, typically countries or organizations, engaging in discussions or negotiations. Example: "The leaders of the two nations held a bilateral visit to strengthen their diplomatic relations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The sought-after summit meeting is Cameron's last bilateral visit overseas before the general election.

The Guardian

He said: "This is not a bilateral visit to Sri Lanka.

The Guardian

He is the first Indian prime minister to pay a bilateral visit since 1997.

The Economist

A bilateral visit aimed at earning business could have been done without damaging the prospects of regional peace".

The Guardian

Narendra Modi helped in August as the first Indian prime minister in 17 years to bother with a bilateral visit.

The Economist

Widodo's trip to Australia will be his first bilateral visit since Canberra withdrew its ambassador to Indonesia in protest against the executions.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We should withhold bilateral visits by ministers while the foreshadowed executions continue or for the rest of the year," McCarthy wrote for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

The Guardian

Diplomatic engagement with other major powers has also been active, as attested to by the regularity of two-way bilateral visits.

The New York Times

And just to drive home the point that this is an unresolved issue, they make sure to schedule one such stunt before or even during high-profile bilateral visits.

Independent

Despite his comments about bilateral visits, Cameron was pushing for a one-on-one meeting with Rajapaska, having made his attendance at the conference contingent on being allowed to visit the war-torn north of the country to meet people affected by the conflict.

The Guardian

Bilateral visits are one thing because they send a signal about your intentions and your views, but in a multilateral organisation, unless you've got a very good reason, I think it's best to turn up and make your argument".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations, use "bilateral visit" to clearly indicate a formal visit between two countries or entities. This term is widely understood and accepted in political and diplomatic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "bilateral visit" when describing events involving more than two parties. Use terms like "international summit" or "multilateral meeting" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bilateral visit" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a specific type of interaction, namely a formal visit between two entities, usually countries. This is supported by Ludwig, as the phrase is often used to describe political and diplomatic events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bilateral visit" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a formal visit between two parties, most often countries, for diplomatic or political purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is primarily found in news and media contexts, and is useful for concisely denoting such interactions. When using the term, ensure that the context involves only two parties, as misusing it in multilateral settings is a common error. Related phrases include "two-nation visit" and "official state visit", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two-nation visit

Focuses on the involvement of two nations.

dual country visit

Emphasizes the two countries that are part of the visit.

official state visit

Highlights the formal and governmental aspect of the visit.

diplomatic exchange

Focuses on the diplomatic interactions during the visit.

summit meeting

Indicates a high-level meeting, often between heads of state.

talks between nations

Underlines the communication and negotiation aspect.

intergovernmental discussions

Highlights the governmental nature of the discussions.

country-to-country dialogue

Emphasizes direct communication between two countries.

high-level talks

Indicates important discussions are taking place.

cross-border discussions

Highlights the international aspect of the discussions.

FAQs

What does "bilateral visit" mean in the context of international relations?

A "bilateral visit" refers to a formal visit or meeting between representatives of two countries or entities, typically to discuss and strengthen diplomatic, economic, or political ties.

How can I use "bilateral visit" in a sentence?

You might say, "The Prime Minister's upcoming "official state visit" to Japan is expected to boost "diplomatic exchange" and trade relations."

Are there any synonyms for "bilateral visit" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "two-nation visit", "diplomatic exchange", or "official state visit".

What's the difference between a "bilateral visit" and a state visit?

While a "bilateral visit" simply indicates a visit between two entities, a state visit is a specific type of formal visit by a head of state to another country, usually including ceremonial welcomes and meetings with top officials. A state visit is generally a high-profile "official state visit" but it doesn't necessarily need to be bilateral.