multiplicative
adjective
mul·ti·pli·ca·tive
ˌməl-tə-ˈpli-kə-tiv 
ˈməl-tə-plə-ˌkā-tiv
ˈməl-tə-plə-ˌkā-tiv
1
: tending or having the power to multiply
2
: of, relating to, or associated with a mathematical operation of multiplication
the multiplicative property of 0 requires that a × 0 = 0 and 0 × a = 0
multiplicatively
adverb
Examples of multiplicative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The same can be done with exponential functions characterized by constant multiplicative change.
—
Patrick Honner, Quanta Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
In 1969, the mathematician Volker Strassen revealed a more complicated procedure that could multiply 2-by-2 matrices in just seven multiplicative steps and 18 additions.
—Quanta Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Worse, every extra dollar of tax revenue inflow has a multiplicative effect when it’s remembered that government programs only grow.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
And if a year with three or four truly dangerous days is followed by one with 10 or 15, the effect on total area burned can be not additive but multiplicative, with relatively small changes to patterns of extreme weather yielding world-changing volumes of fire.
—David Wallace-Wells, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for multiplicative 
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.
Patrick Honner, Quanta Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
In 1969, the mathematician Volker Strassen revealed a more complicated procedure that could multiply 2-by-2 matrices in just seven multiplicative steps and 18 additions.
—Quanta Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Worse, every extra dollar of tax revenue inflow has a multiplicative effect when it’s remembered that government programs only grow.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
And if a year with three or four truly dangerous days is followed by one with 10 or 15, the effect on total area burned can be not additive but multiplicative, with relatively small changes to patterns of extreme weather yielding world-changing volumes of fire.
—David Wallace-Wells, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for multiplicative
Dictionary Entries Near multiplicative
Cite this Entry
“Multiplicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiplicative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
multiplicative
adjective
mul·ti·pli·ca·tive
ˌməl-tə-ˈplik-ət-iv
ˈməl-tə-plə-ˌkāt-
ˈməl-tə-plə-ˌkāt-
: of, relating to, or associated with a mathematical operation of multiplication
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share