mul·ti·ply
ˈməl-tə-ˌplī 
multiplied; multiplying
2
a
: to find the product of by multiplication
multiply 7 and 8
b
: to use as a multiplicand in multiplication with another number
multiply 7 by 8
2
: to perform multiplication
mul·ti·ply
ˈməl-tə-plē
: in a multiple manner : in several ways
multiply talented children
mul·ti-ply
ˌməl-tē-ˈplī
-ˌtī-
: composed of several plies
Examples of multiply in a Sentence
Verb
Complaints about the new procedure soon multiplied.
Her responsibilities multiplied when she was promoted.
Her responsibilities were multiplied by the promotion.
The bacteria multiply rapidly in warm, moist conditions.
The teacher taught the children how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Every foot off target is a point added to the score, and every second outside the duration target is multiplied by four and added to the score.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Within short order, these pests multiply and wreak havoc on both indoor and outdoor plants, including annuals, perennials, edibles, and shrubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026
They are constructed of multi-ply stainless steel, or stainless steel with aluminum, but do not have a specific nonstick coating.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for multiply
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Verb
Two local governments in California have voted to declare a local emergency over the invasive golden mussels that are rapidly multiplying and clogging water pipes.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Every foot off target is a point added to the score, and every second outside the duration target is multiplied by four and added to the score.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Adverb
Decisions are made more quickly, reports are produced more frequently, and outputs multiply.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Within short order, these pests multiply and wreak havoc on both indoor and outdoor plants, including annuals, perennials, edibles, and shrubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Adjective
Pima, Egyptian cotton, linen, and bamboo fabrics are the best materials, and even at lower thread counts can outperform multi-ply blends.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026
They are constructed of multi-ply stainless steel, or stainless steel with aluminum, but do not have a specific nonstick coating.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for multiply
Cite this Entry
“Multiply.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiply. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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