multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the state of being many

… the mind falters, confused by the multitude and yet the harmony of the detail …

—Theodore Dreiser

2

: a great number : host entry 4

a multitude of choices

a multitude of complaints

3

: a great number of people

A multitude gathered to hear the governor's speech.

4

: populace, public

a candidate trying to appeal to the multitude

Synonyms of multitude

• throng
• crowd
• flock
• swarm
• horde

Examples of multitude in a Sentence

a candidate trying to appeal to the multitude

awed by the multitude of stars in the night sky

Recent Examples on the Web

And at Matthieu Blazy’s debut for Chanel, emotion and feeling comes alive through a multitude of prints, textures, sculptural shapes, and color-blocking. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The former has gone viral on TikTok and been used by a multitude of celebs, like Billie Eilish and Alix Earle. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 May 2026

The mission, which tested power, propulsion, tracking, and a multitude of other technologies needed for Vast’s Haven-1 space station, was evidently so successful that the company is ready to use its spaceflight capabilities for other purposes. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026

Also heading there now are multitudes of migrating shorebirds, seabirds and sea turtles to nest, feed and rest. —Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 16 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin multitudin-, multitudo, from multus much — more at meliorate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing multitude

• cover/hide a multitude of sins
• the multitude

Rhymes for multitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

: a great number of things or people