multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce multitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
1
: the state of being many
… the mind falters, confused by the multitude and yet the harmony of the detail …Theodore Dreiser
2
: a great number : host entry 4
a multitude of choices
a multitude of complaints
3
: a great number of people
A multitude gathered to hear the governor's speech.
4
: populace, public
a candidate trying to appeal to the multitude

Examples of multitude in a Sentence

a candidate trying to appeal to the multitude awed by the multitude of stars in the night sky
Recent Examples on the Web Scaling it across a multitude of robots could remain comparatively cheap, while exponentially increasing their functionality. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2023 Moreover, for a multitude of reasons, including biases in IQ tests, a disproportionate number of those diagnosed—and helped—have been white and middle- to upper-class. Sarah Carr, Scientific American, 16 Nov. 2023 That’s important, Kahn says, because militaries are looking to harness AI in a multitude of ways. WIRED, 8 Nov. 2023 What Is Apple Butter Served With? Apple butter makes a delicious spread on a multitude of dishes, from toast to biscuits, and more. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2023 But winning covers a multitude of sins among die-hard fans, and Knight was seen largely as a rebel-hero, one not at all reluctant to speak his mind, with just the right amount of rogue in him. Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 Our meticulous analysis, grounded in safety, efficacy, and user experience, has unveiled a multitude of reliable platforms and services for obtaining Viagra online. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023 Outside of animation, Skydance and Netflix have worked together on a multitude of projects, including action films The Old Guard and The Adam Project as well as series like FUBAR and Grace and Frankie. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2023 The Hyper Force’s multitude of screens move around the driver depending on drive mode, shifting colors and showing different information, and when the car’s not in motion, it can be used as a VR gaming setup. Daniel Golson, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'multitude.' 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

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin multitudin-, multitudo, from multus much — more at meliorate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multitude was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near multitude

Cite this Entry

“Multitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multitude. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

multitude

noun
mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce multitude (audio)
: a great number of things or people

More from Merriam-Webster on multitude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!