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

The dual hub enables competitive fares and a multitude of options for travelers who only have so much time and money to spend on a vacation. — Ray Lahood, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Presley was hopelessly addicted to prescription medication at this point, dealing with a wide multitude of chronic health disorders. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026

There is a multitude of things for trainers to do beyond the main story of the game, some of the highlights being battling with Dynamaxed Pokemon and battling other players online. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

But a blip can contain multitudes, and this one allows Murashige to question every aspect of the social order that has shaped him. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 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