multiplication

noun

mul·​ti·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of multiplying : the state of being multiplied

2

a

: a mathematical operation that at its simplest is an abbreviated process of adding an integer to zero a specified number of times and that is extended to other numbers in accordance with laws that are valid for integers

b

: any of various mathematical operations that are analogous in some way to multiplication of the real numbers but are defined for other or larger sets of elements (such as complex numbers, vectors, matrices, or functions)

Synonyms

• accumulating
• accumulation
• addition
• increase
• mushrooming
• proliferation

Examples of multiplication in a Sentence

Students are learning multiplication and division.

a disease causing uncontrolled multiplication of cells

an uncontrolled multiplication of cells

Recent Examples on the Web

These start simple enough — addition, subtraction — before escalating to multiplication, division, squares, and roots. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025

This can be achieved via addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. —Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025

Southern temperatures are not ideal for most wild tulip species multiplication either. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025

Enter your passcode or complete the multiplication problem. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English multiplicacioun, from Anglo-French multiplicacion, from Latin multiplication-, multiplicatio, from multiplicare to multiply

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing multiplication

• multiplication sign
• multiplication table

Rhymes for multiplication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

multiplication

noun

mul·​ti·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of multiplying

2

: a mathematical operation that takes two numbers and gives an answer equal to the sum of a column containing one of the numbers repeated the number of times of the other number

the multiplication of 8 and 3 is the same as the sum of 8+8+8