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
Oblivion, along with Morrowind and Skyrim, was recognized as Game of the Year by multiple outlets. Carlie Procell, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025 Parents of multiple faiths, and even kids, mobilized to have their views heard by the school board, with as many as 1,000 people gathering for one school board meeting. Nina Totenberg, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
The fans will undoubtedly come in handy for a multiple of reasons — there's the heat, there's dancing and there's fashion at the forefront. Caché McClay, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025 Rakers said that target is based on a 31-times price-to-earnings multiple of earnings per share in the 2026 calendar year. Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on multiple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!