multitasking

play

noun, often attributive mul·ti·task·ing \ -ˌtas-kiŋ \

Definition of multitasking

1 :the concurrent performance of several jobs by a computer

2 :the performance of multiple tasks at one time

The job requires a person who is good at multitasking.

—

multitask

play \-ˌtask\ intransitive verb

—

multitasker

play \-ˌtas-kər\ noun

See multitasking defined for English-language learners

See multitasking defined for kids

Examples of multitasking in a Sentence

The job requires someone who is good at multitasking.

Recent Examples of multitasking from the Web

Sophomore Demario McCall has had to do a lot of multitasking in the last few months.

— tim bielik, cleveland.com, "Demario McCall in receivers room, gaining weight, joining return game: Ohio State football daily nuggets," 20 Aug. 2017
Even when there is no urgency involved, multitasking has become a way of life.

— emma seppälä, Time, "6 Secrets to a Happier Life," 7 Aug. 2017
Hannon says of the modern handwich, once pushed as a one-handed sandwich suitable as a multitasking tool.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney history repeats: 'Handwich' back at Epcot for Food & Wine Fest," 20 July 2017
For the multitasking yogi In transit, the Asana Pillow from Om the Go (get it?) may seem like your run-of-the-mill, U-shaped support.

— chaney kwak, CNT, "4 Travel Pillows You'll Actually Want to Buy," 30 June 2017
The latest iteration of iOS feels like one of Apple's boldest, and does much to make the iPad a competitive multitasking machine.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "iOS 11 Gives the iPad a Much-Needed Speed Boost," 26 June 2017
There are also signs that iOS 11’s multitasking is slightly more versatile on iPads with 4GB of RAM, allowing as many as three active apps and a picture-in-picture window onscreen at once.

— andrew cunningham, Ars Technica, "Review: The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is much more “pro” than what it replaces," 12 June 2017
The trick worked like a charm: The Princess of Wales wasn't the first royal to adopt a multitasking purse.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "What You Never Knew About Princess Diana's Famous "Cleavage Bags"," 23 May 2017
The trick worked like a charm: The Princess of Wales wasn't the first royal to adopt a multitasking purse.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "What You Never Knew About Princess Diana's Famous "Cleavage Bags"," 23 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'multitasking.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of multitasking

1966

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

MULTITASKING Defined for English Language Learners

multitasking

play

noun

Definition of multitasking for English Language Learners

: the ability to do several things at the same time

Learn More about multitasking

Nglish: Translation of multitasking for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of multitasking for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about multitasking

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up multitasking? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

multitasking

Definition of multitasking

multitask

multitasker

Examples of multitasking in a Sentence

Recent Examples of multitasking from the Web

First Known Use of multitasking

Other Computer-Related Terms

MULTITASKING Defined for English Language Learners

multitasking

Definition of multitasking for English Language Learners

Learn More about multitasking

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

anathematize

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse'

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

Citation

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

multitasking

Definition of multitasking

multitask

multitasker

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of multitasking in a Sentence

Recent Examples of multitasking from the Web

First Known Use of multitasking

Other Computer-Related Terms

MULTITASKING Defined for English Language Learners

multitasking

Definition of multitasking for English Language Learners

Learn More about multitasking

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066