multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce multitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
Synonyms of multitude
1
: the state of being many
… the mind falters, confused by the multitude and yet the harmony of the detail …—Theodore Dreiser
2
: a great number : host entry 4
a multitude of choices
a multitude of complaints
3
: a great number of people
A multitude gathered to hear the governor's speech.
4
: populace, public
a candidate trying to appeal to the multitude

Synonyms of multitude

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Examples of multitude in a Sentence

a candidate trying to appeal to the multitude awed by the multitude of stars in the night sky
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.
Lexi and Ridge create a multitude of festive excursions — and excuses — to bring them together but thanks to creative machinations by June and Dan, these outings keep turning into foursomes. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 Buying the car in 2003, the current steward followed in their footsteps, entering the D-Type in a multitude of key driving events, many with his son as co-driver. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026 More than 90 pages of Anthropic's IPO prospectus, revealed Monday, center on the AI lab's multitude of corporate risk factors, many of which go beyond the kinds of boilerplate scenarios typically found in corporate filings. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 Achieving such multitudes was a practice of refinement over many months, nailing the balance between wood, gourmand, and smokey facets, while still ensuring the final result wasn’t too heavy. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for multitude

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin multitudin-, multitudo, from multus much — more at meliorate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multitude was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing multitude

Rhymes for multitude

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Browse Nearby Words

multituberculy
multitude
multitudinal
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Cite this Entry

“Multitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multitude. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

multitude

noun
mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce multitude (audio)
: a great number of things or people
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