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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The high-end massager retails for $650, and includes a variety of tips to target different areas of the body and a multitude of muscle aches and pains. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 25 June 2025 Oklahoma City will be able to target significant players on draft night, holding a multitude of first-round picks for not only this year's draft but also for the next handful of seasons. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 Honda is well-known in industry circles as one of the few carmakers who produces a multitude of non-car products including motorcycles, ATVs, power equipment such as generators, lawnmowers, outboard motors and snowploughs, the HondaJet and robots such as ASIMO. Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 In the 48 hours since Desmond Bane was traded from Memphis to Orlando, the newest member of the Magic has heard from a multitude of his fresh teammates, including Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for multitude

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

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Cite this Entry

“Multitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multitude. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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

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