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

Don’t expect a multitude of data charts and the like, though. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Not only did the crew grab the moment from a multitude of angles, to the deep delight and relief of Garelick, but so did the audience, who made the event go infinitely viral. — Miki Hellerbach, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

There's a multitude of Gucci wearers in the world, spanning bratty aristocrats, the new bourgeois, and lads buying outlet merchandise. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026

Week 2 saw a multitude of injuries that cost many fantasy teams a victory. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 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