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

Podcasts have always come in a multitude of styles—there’s the stuff that takes a long time to make like documentary series and multi-part audiofiction, there’s the interview shows, comedy and celebrity chatcasts, and now even AI personalities hosting niche slop. —Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025

As its immediate neighbor, Egypt has a multitude of reasons to be interested in Sudan’s future. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

The voyage ends with a multitude of lanterns above the Paris skyline, as a mother and child look on from the Pont Neuf, the historic bridge located next to Vuitton’s headquarters. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

Fashion killer Rihanna contains multitudes. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025

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