multiplication

noun

mul·​ti·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of multiplying : the state of being multiplied

2

a

: a mathematical operation that at its simplest is an abbreviated process of adding an integer to zero a specified number of times and that is extended to other numbers in accordance with laws that are valid for integers

b

: any of various mathematical operations that are analogous in some way to multiplication of the real numbers but are defined for other or larger sets of elements (such as complex numbers, vectors, matrices, or functions)

Synonyms of multiplication

• increase
• accumulation
• accumulating
• addition

Examples of multiplication in a Sentence

Students are learning multiplication and division.

a disease causing uncontrolled multiplication of cells

an uncontrolled multiplication of cells

Recent Examples on the Web

So no multiplication, which is what takes all the energy, because multiplication is an expensive operation in hardware, and even for human minds. — Jackie Snow, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026

One student never learned multiplication because instruction was interrupted repeatedly by school changes. — Scott White, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Since antiquity, mathematicians have suspected that O(n2) was an inherent speed limit for multiplication. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

The test results show younger kids are improving foundational skills, such as identifying facts in a simple news article or understanding basic multiplication and division. — ABC News, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English multiplicacioun, from Anglo-French multiplicacion, from Latin multiplication-, multiplicatio, from multiplicare to multiply

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing multiplication

• multiplication sign
• multiplication table

Rhymes for multiplication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

multiplication

noun

mul·​ti·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of multiplying

2

: a mathematical operation that takes two numbers and gives an answer equal to the sum of a column containing one of the numbers repeated the number of times of the other number

the multiplication of 8 and 3 is the same as the sum of 8+8+8