multinational

adjective

mul·​ti·​na·​tion·​al ˌməl-tē-ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl 

-ˌtī-

1

: of or relating to more than two nationalities

a multinational society

2

a

: of, relating to, or involving more than two nations

a multinational alliance

b

: having divisions in more than two countries

a multinational corporation

multinational noun

Synonyms of multinational

• international

Examples of multinational in a Sentence

multinational efforts to negotiate a lasting peace in the region

Recent Examples on the Web

The Culture Map — Erin Meyer A practical framework for understanding and navigating cross-cultural differences that commonly derail multinational integrations. —Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Vietnam has been a major beneficiary of globalization, emerging as a key export hub for electronics, garments and consumer goods as multinational firms shifted production away from China. —Aniruddha Ghosal, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

Advanced Linen Service, which provides table linens and other services for restaurants and businesses, announced the closure after the company was acquired by multinational firm Alsco Uniforms. —Nina Burns, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

No, Adi kept saying, no, trying but plainly failing to explain the distinction between a government and a multinational nonprofit foundation. —Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for multinational

• international
• supranational
• binational
• irrational
• subnational
• transnational
• national
• rational

Kids Definition

multinational

1 of 2 adjective

mul·​ti·​na·​tion·​al

ˌməl-ti-ˈnash-nəl, 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or involving more than two nations

2

: having divisions in more than two countries

multinational

2 of 2 noun

: a multinational corporation