multiple

1 of 2

adjective

mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl How to pronounce multiple (audio)
1
: consisting of, including, or involving more than one
multiple births
multiple choices
2
: many, manifold
multiple achievements
He suffered multiple injuries in the accident.
3
: shared by many
multiple ownership
4
: having numerous aspects or functions : various
life is very multiple; full of movements, facts, and newsJohn Galsworthy
5
: 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

multiple

2 of 2

noun

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
2
3
chiefly British : chain store

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 Web
Adjective
Most companies have multiple gateways, which can make managing them harder. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024 Andy Fickman directed and executive-produced the pilot and will direct multiple episodes. Michaela Zee, Variety, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
Lasry’s potential deal, which does not include Steve Malik’s North Carolina FC USL team, would be at a rich 12 times 2024 revenue and akin to Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts’ agreement to buy the Chicago Red Stars last year at a similar revenue multiple. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2024 How much businesses are worth varies widely between industries but is often some multiple of revenue plus the value of any physical assets owned by the business, such as properties and equipment. Cicely Jones, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for multiple 

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

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French, from Latin multiplex, from multi- + -plex -fold — more at -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of multiple was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near multiple

Cite this Entry

“Multiple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

multiple

1 of 2 adjective
mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl How to pronounce multiple (audio)
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 How to pronounce multiple (audio)
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

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