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

Everybody would certainly rejoice at doing that kind of multiplication. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

The startling multiplication of the contests reminds me of the summer of 2020, when otherwise rational-seeming people suggested that the FBI was planting caches of fireworks in various American cities as part of a convoluted psyop. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024

This leads to a multiplication of customer profiles and fragmentation of visitor activity tracks. —Ilya Lashch, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

In its first wave, two main technologic innovations bolstered the number of creators: The multiplication of open access distribution channels such as social media platforms, Discord, and newsletters allowed users to distribute their work, in theory, to millions of potential viewers. —Ruby Justice Thelot, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024

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

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