multiple

1 of 2

adjective

mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl 

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 news

—John 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

: parallel sense 4b

3

chiefly British : chain store

Synonyms

Adjective

• collaborative
• collective
• combined
• common
• communal
• concerted
• conjoint
• conjunct
• cooperative
• joint
• mutual
• pooled
• public
• shared
• united

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

Adjective

By contrast, a portfolio approach recognizes that businesses need to invest in multiple time horizons at once. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Dozens dead as powerful weather crushes multiple US states At least 37 people are dead after dozens of tornadoes, high winds and dust storms pushed across the United States over the weekend, decimating homes and other structures in several states. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025

Noun

The California franchises have already been sold for multiples of their relatively small expansion fees, while stakeholders for the Boston team include celebrities and athletes with ties to Massachusetts. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2025

Industry Trends – Some industries have higher valuation multiples than others. —Lien De Pau, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing multiple

• common multiple
• least common multiple
• lowest common multiple
• multiple allele
• multiple birth
• multiple chemical sensitivity
• multiple-choice
• multiple factor
• multiple myeloma
• multiple personality
• multiple personality disorder
• multiple regression
• multiple sclerosis
• multiple star
• multiple store
• multiple-valued

Kids Definition

multiple

1 of 2 adjective

mul·​ti·​ple ˈməl-tə-pəl 

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 

1

: consisting of, including, or involving more than one

multiple births

2

: affecting many parts of the body at once