multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌtüd 

-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

Synonyms of multitude

• throng
• crowd
• flock
• swarm
• horde

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

But beyond its beauty, this image holds a multitude of scientific wonders. —Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Here, the installation features multitudes of yicas hanging in an elliptical arrangement on the white surface of the wall, each produced by an individual member of the group. —María Carri, Artforum, 16 Apr. 2026

But Lee assembles them in multitudes and hangs them into a large installation taking up a full gallery wall. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026

These courses prepare senior servicepeople for positions of responsibility in the national-defense arena and also provide them with the opportunity to collaborate with their civilian counterparts, many of whom will go on to be leaders in a multitude of strategically important fields. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing multitude

• cover/hide a multitude of sins
• the multitude

Rhymes for multitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

: a great number of things or people