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

That’s put Cyera in an important position within organizations in need of new frameworks for data security and data management—defending a company’s information from a multitude of new threats, including agentic attacks, while enabling internal data to power new AI applications. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

Serious artists such as Elvis Costello and Aretha Franklin have reinterpreted Bacharach-David songs in a multitude of ways. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026

The team went through a multitude of lineup combinations while watching quarterbacks continually get sacked. —Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

But the arrival of an oral option has also sparked a multitude of questions. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 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