multiple

1 of 2

adjective

mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl How to pronounce multiple (audio)
1
: consisting of, including, or involving more than one
multiple births
multiple choices
2
: many, manifold
multiple achievements
He suffered multiple injuries in the accident.
3
: shared by many
multiple ownership
4
: having numerous aspects or functions : various
life is very multiple; full of movements, facts, and newsJohn Galsworthy
5
: being a group of terminals (see terminal entry 2 sense 3) which make a circuit available at a number of points
6
: formed by coalescence of the ripening ovaries (see ovary sense 2) of several flowers
a multiple fruit

multiple

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the product of a quantity by an integer
35 is a multiple of 7
b
: something in units of more than one or two
2
3
chiefly British : chain store

Examples of multiple in a Sentence

Adjective She made multiple copies of the report. a person of multiple achievements He suffered multiple injuries in the accident. Noun 35 is a multiple of 7. 12 is a multiple of 6.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Chen allegedly directed her to scout out multiple locations for it. Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025 Enforcing standard security procedures can become cumbersome across disparate suppliers, which may be located in multiple jurisdictions with varying legal and regulatory standards. Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
Investors may be reluctant to assign a higher valuation multiple to FFIV stock, particularly in light of its 6% revenue growth over the past twelve months. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 This higher price target reflects the higher price-to-earning multiple the best of breed cybersecurity companies continue to deserve in the market. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for multiple

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French, from Latin multiplex, from multi- + -plex -fold — more at -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of multiple was in 1647

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Multiple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

multiple

1 of 2 adjective
mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl How to pronounce multiple (audio)
1
: containing, involving, or consisting of more than one
multiple copies
2
: many entry 1 sense 1
a person of multiple achievements

multiple

2 of 2 noun
: the product of a quantity and a whole number
35 is a multiple of 7

Medical Definition

multiple

adjective
mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl How to pronounce multiple (audio)
1
: consisting of, including, or involving more than one
multiple births
2
: affecting many parts of the body at once

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