mul·ti·ple
ˈməl-tə-pəl 
1
: consisting of, including, or involving more than one
multiple births
multiple choices
3
: shared by many
multiple ownership
4
: having numerous aspects or functions : various
life is very multiple; full of movements, facts, and news—
John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy5
: being a group of terminals (see terminal entry 2 sense 3) which make a circuit available at a number of points
6
: formed by coalescence of the ripening ovaries (see ovary sense 2) of several flowers
a multiple fruit
1
a
: the product of a quantity by an integer
35 is a multiple of 7
b
: something in units of more than one or two
3
chiefly British
: chain store
Synonyms
Examples of multiple in a Sentence
Adjective
She made multiple copies of the report.
a person of multiple achievements
He suffered multiple injuries in the accident.
Noun
35 is a multiple of 7.
12 is a multiple of 6.
Recent Examples on the WebTom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 19 Nov. 2023
Disposable vapes have been the cause of multiple fires in recycling plants in recent months.
—WIRED, 19 Nov. 2023
Talks over freeing those captives -- who represent multiple nationalities, with Americans among them -- have progressed with the involvement of intermediaries like the government of Qatar.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2023
Many native Londoners, meanwhile, step outside of town to take advantage of the multiple bank holiday weekends marking the month.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 18 Nov. 2023
The chief executive of Uwajimaya, a chain of Asian grocery stores, said many of her employees commute an hour by public bus, have multiple roommates or rent a couch rather than a whole room, because housing costs in the area are so high.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
The Waldorf Astoria property will include a beach club, treehouse-like spa rooms, a holistic wellness center, lap and thermal pools and multiple restaurants.
—Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2023
Two suspects who are linked to multiple armed robberies around the Chicago area were taken into custody by police.
—Adam Sabes, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2023
But many here have fled airstrikes multiple times and say that going back is a death sentence.
—Yan Naing, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Shanna Shipin, Allure, 16 Nov. 2023
Consider purchasing multiple to make a big impact on your tree.
—Addie Morton, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
These last three are essentially multiples of the hourly rate an advisor expects to spend working on your finances.
—Bernice Napach, wsj.com, 24 Oct. 2023
Those at high risk of preeclampsia may have a history of the disorder, pregnancy with multiples, chronic hypertension, or diabetes.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 28 Sep. 2023
The blue-chip brigade Marian Goodman has been in the art business since 1965, first as a publisher of art multiples, then as a gallery owner (since 1977), eventually with spaces in New York, London and Paris.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2023
The film is one of multiple across Hollywood expected to shift dates amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which has shut down production, though insiders say this move is not strike related.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2023
The man stabbed the dog multiple times, according to Sharki, but the dog was wearing a protective vest and was only wounded once.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023
The fan/heater can be programmed to turn off after a specific amount of time, and its convenience is making shoppers buy multiples for every room.
—Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023
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Adjective
After that arrest, investigators obtained multiple search warrants for Heal's apartment and found a 9 mm pistol with a green laser light attached and ammunition consistent with evidence from the shooting.
—Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 19 Nov. 2023
Disposable vapes have been the cause of multiple fires in recycling plants in recent months.
—WIRED, 19 Nov. 2023
Talks over freeing those captives -- who represent multiple nationalities, with Americans among them -- have progressed with the involvement of intermediaries like the government of Qatar.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2023
Many native Londoners, meanwhile, step outside of town to take advantage of the multiple bank holiday weekends marking the month.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 18 Nov. 2023
The chief executive of Uwajimaya, a chain of Asian grocery stores, said many of her employees commute an hour by public bus, have multiple roommates or rent a couch rather than a whole room, because housing costs in the area are so high.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
The Waldorf Astoria property will include a beach club, treehouse-like spa rooms, a holistic wellness center, lap and thermal pools and multiple restaurants.
—Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2023
Two suspects who are linked to multiple armed robberies around the Chicago area were taken into custody by police.
—Adam Sabes, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2023
But many here have fled airstrikes multiple times and say that going back is a death sentence.
—Yan Naing, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Noun
Go ahead, buy multiples of these crowd-pleasers and cross off besties, sisters, and coworkers all at once.
—Shanna Shipin, Allure, 16 Nov. 2023
Consider purchasing multiple to make a big impact on your tree.
—Addie Morton, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
These last three are essentially multiples of the hourly rate an advisor expects to spend working on your finances.
—Bernice Napach, wsj.com, 24 Oct. 2023
Those at high risk of preeclampsia may have a history of the disorder, pregnancy with multiples, chronic hypertension, or diabetes.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 28 Sep. 2023
The blue-chip brigade Marian Goodman has been in the art business since 1965, first as a publisher of art multiples, then as a gallery owner (since 1977), eventually with spaces in New York, London and Paris.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2023
The film is one of multiple across Hollywood expected to shift dates amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which has shut down production, though insiders say this move is not strike related.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2023
The man stabbed the dog multiple times, according to Sharki, but the dog was wearing a protective vest and was only wounded once.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023
The fan/heater can be programmed to turn off after a specific amount of time, and its convenience is making shoppers buy multiples for every room.
—Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'multiple.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing multiple
Dictionary Entries Near multiple
Cite this Entry
“Multiple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
multiple
1 of 2 adjective
mul·ti·ple
ˈməl-tə-pəl
1
: containing, involving, or consisting of more than one
multiple copies
2
: many entry 1 sense 1
a person of multiple achievements
multiple
2 of 2 noun
: the product of a quantity and a whole number
35 is a multiple of 7
Medical Definition
multiple
adjective
mul·ti·ple
ˈməl-tə-pəl
1
: consisting of, including, or involving more than one
multiple births
2
: affecting many parts of the body at once
More from Merriam-Webster on multiple
Nglish: Translation of multiple for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of multiple for Arabic Speakers
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