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

• army
• bike [chiefly Scottish]
• cram
• crowd
• crush
• drove
• flock
• herd
• horde
• host
• legion
• mass
• mob
• press
• rout
• scrum
• swarm
• throng

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

The Virgo moon presents you with a multitude of social engagements. —USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024

Reading is well-known to have a multitude of positive health impacts. —Victor A. Lopez-Carmen, Md, Mph, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

There’s a multitude of wildlife experiences available across the globe, but most separate you from the animals either by a 4×4, a boat, or other forms of transport. —Chris Schalkx, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2024

The New York Jets had Super Bowl hopes with the return of Aaron Rodgers, a multitude of weapons, and what was supposed to be an elite defense. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

: a great number of things or people