1 alternative adj 1: ALTERNATE 2: offering or expressing a choice (several ~ plans) 3: existing or functioning outside the established cultural , social , or economic system (~ newspaper) (~lifestyle)

2 alternative n 1a: a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen b: an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions 2a: one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen b: something which can be chosen instead (the only ~ to intervention) syn see CHOICE

- from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1987) 75