Ferroelectromagnetic SrBi5-xLaTi4FeO18 ceramics have been synthesized using the conventional solid-state sintering route. Single phase formation and orthorhombic structure was confirmed from the X-ray analysis. Results on the ac impedance, conductivity activation energies, bulk dielectric constant, and temperature behavior of the dielectric constant are presented. A decrease in the values of dielectric constant, dielectric transition temperature and orthorhombic distortion has been observed with the increase of La content in the ceramics. The material also exhibits magnetoelectric nature. A maximum magnetoelectric output of 211 mV/cm was observed in the sample with x = 0.65. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.