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

With the new mid-weight model, Google has implemented a streamlined embedding module for vision, featuring single-matrix multiplication and positional embedding, which allows the data to pass to the LLM with proper spatial awareness. —ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026

Your private key is a random number; your public key is derived from it through elliptic curve multiplication — a computation that is easy to perform in one direction but, for any classical computer, practically impossible to reverse. —Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The design required the production team to bring a broad range of understandings, everything from electromagnetism, solenoid latches, lever arm weight multiplication, spring hinges, DMX triggers, foam fabrication, and sculpture. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 May 2026

Here, the whole computation is accomplished in three lookup steps and two multiplication steps. —Olivia Hsu, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Apr. 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