neutrality

UK/njuːˈtɹæləti/US/nuˈtɹæləti/

nounC1Occasional — familiar, but not everyday · #11,725 of 15,258leans written

Neutrality is taking no side in a dispute. Armed neutrality, strict neutrality, breach of neutrality.

In international law it is a defined status with duties attached: a neutral state must treat both sides alike and may not let either use its territory. Switzerland's neutrality dates from 1815. In broadcasting and refereeing, neutrality is a professional requirement. Note that the Latin means neither of two.

Definitions of neutrality

1nounneutralityTaking no side in a dispute.C1
“Switzerland is famous for its neutrality in times of war.”

neutrality is a position of impartiality.

Where it comes from

Latin neutralitas comes from neuter, neither — ne plus uter, which of two. Neutral and neuter come from the same neither.

Middle French
neutralité
English, today
neutrality

From Middle French neutralité, from Medieval Latin - neutralitas. Morphologically neutral + ity.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

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neutrality in the wild

Immediately before World War II, the Nordic countries stated their neutrality, but Sweden changed its position to that of non-belligerent at the start of the Winter War.
Neutral country
Sweden would uphold its policy of neutrality until the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Neutral country
To increase gender neutrality in recent years, there has been a societal emphasis on using inclusive language and advocating for equality.
Gender neutrality
Under the treaty, the European powers recognised and guaranteed the independence and neutrality of Belgium and established the full independence of the German-speaking part of Luxembourg.
Treaty of London (1839)
Following the German invasion of 1914, Belgium abandoned its policy of neutrality.
Treaty of London (1839)

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

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