multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

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

• army
• bike [chiefly Scottish]
• cram
• crowd
• crush
• drove
• flock
• herd
• horde
• host
• legion
• mass
• mob
• press
• rout
• scrum
• swarm
• throng

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

More news: Warner Bros Delays 'The Batman 2' For a Third Time One of Batman's biggest foes is Clayface, a villain who can mold his body into a multitude of devastating shapes. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Scheffler’s season certainly triggered a multitude of bonuses from Nike and TaylorMade. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025

Over the years, Bell has observed a multitude of uses for the basketball courts, beyond their intended purpose. —Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025

Abandoned, without a job and with an uncertain return home — that’s the scenario for a multitude of overseas staff doing the humanitarian work of the U.S. Agency for International Development. —Dawn Klavon, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing multitude

• cover/hide a multitude of sins
• the multitude

Kids Definition

multitude

noun

mul·​ti·​tude ˈməl-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

: a great number of things or people