Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Nearby Entries
bilingualism - 3 dictionary results

bi⋅lin⋅gual⋅ism

  [bahy-ling-gwuh-liz-uhm or, Can., -ling-gyoo-uh-]
Use bilingualism in a Sentence
–noun
1. the ability to speak two languages fluently.
2. the habitual use of two languages.
3. Canadian. a government-supported program encouraging all citizens to acquire a knowledge of both English and French.
Also, bi⋅lin⋅gual⋅i⋅ty  [bahy-ling-gwal-i-tee or, Can., -ling-gyoo-al-] .

Origin:
1870–75; bilingual + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bilingualism
bi·lin·gual   (bī-lĭng'gwəl)   
adj.  
    1. Using or able to use two languages, especially with equal or nearly equal fluency.
    2. Using two languages in some proportion in order to facilitate learning by students who have a native proficiency in one language and are acquiring proficiency in the other: bilingual training; bilingual education.
  2. Of, relating to, or expressed in two languages: a bilingual dictionary.
n.  A person who uses or is able to use two languages, especially with equal fluency.
bi·lin'gual·ism n., bi·lin'gual·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Bilingualism

Bi*lin"gual*ism\, n. Quality of being bilingual.

The bilingualism of King's English. --Earle.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see bilingualism on Thesaurus | Reference