multiplex

American  

[muhl-tuh-pleks] / ˈmʌl təˌplɛks /

adjective

1. having many parts or aspects.

   the multiplex problem of drug abuse.

2. manifold; multiple.

   the multiplex opportunities in high technology.

3. Telecommunications. of, relating to, or using equipment permitting the simultaneous transmission of two or more signals or messages over a single channel.

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verb (used with object)

• multiplexes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• multiplexed,
  past participle,  past
• multiplexing
  present participle

1. Telecommunications.

   1. to arrange (a circuit) for use by multiplex telegraphy, allowing multiple synchronous signals to be sent and received on a single telegraph wire.

   2. to transmit (two or more signals or messages) by a multiplex system, circuit, or the like, as in telegraph and telephone communication, or television and radio broadcasting.

verb (used without object)

• multiplexes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• multiplexed,
  past participle,  past
• multiplexing
  present participle

1. to send several messages or signals simultaneously, as in telegraph and telephone communication, or television and radio broadcasting.

noun

1. a multiplex electronics system.

2. (in map making) a stereoscopic device that makes it possible to view pairs of aerial photographs in three dimensions.

3. Also called multiplex cinema.  Also called multiplex theater.  a group of two or more movie theaters on the same site or in the same building, especially a cluster of adjoining theaters.

multiplex British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌplɛks /

noun

1. telecomm

   1. the use of a common communications channel for sending two or more messages or signals. In frequency-division multiplex the frequency band transmitted by the common channel is split into narrower bands each of which constitutes a distinct channel. In time-division multiplex different channels are established by intermittent connections to the common channel

   2. ( as modifier )

      a multiplex transmitter

2. 1. a purpose-built complex containing a number of cinemas and usually a restaurant or bar

   2. ( as modifier )

      a multiplex cinema

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adjective

1. designating a method of map-making using three cameras to produce a stereoscopic effect

2. a less common word for multiple

verb

1. to send (messages or signals) or (of messages or signals) be sent by multiplex

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• multiplexer
  noun
• multiplexor
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• multiplexing
  present
• multiplexed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• multiplex
  simple
• multiplexes
  simple
• have multiplexed
  perfect
• has multiplexed
  perfect
• am multiplexing
  progressive
• are multiplexing
  progressive
• is multiplexing
  progressive
• have been multiplexing
  perfect progressive
• has been multiplexing
  perfect progressive

Past

• multiplexed
  simple
• had multiplexed
  perfect
• was multiplexing
  progressive
• were multiplexing
  progressive
• had been multiplexing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will multiplex
  simple
• will have multiplexed
  perfect
• will be multiplexing
  progressive
• will have been multiplexing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of multiplex

From Latin, dating back to 1550–60; see origin at multi-, -plex

Explanation

A multiplex is like a movie lover’s paradise — a big building packed with many theaters, so you can decide whether you’re in the mood for an action flick, a comedy, or the latest animated hit, all under one roof. The word multiplex us built from multi-, meaning "many," and plex, meaning "having parts or units." Originally, it described something complex or made up of many parts, and it still does. It also describes communication systems that carry multiple signals on the same channel. But today, the more common meaning of multiplex is a large cinema complex with multiple theaters showing different movies.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

multiplex multiplexes multiplexed multiplexing

But pulling that idea out of the multiplex, admitting that you think so little of your fellow Americans that you would champion a movie like “Idiocracy,” should inspire some shame.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

Over “Obsession’s” first few weekends, 75% of the audience was 17 to 34, which is significant at a time when major studios have struggled to consistently get younger viewers to trek to the multiplex.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2026

The opening of “Masters of the Universe” mimics that of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” potentially triggering those moviegoers who dislike the brainy end of the multiplex, but never fear.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026

This amalgamation of excessive style is a favorite at the multiplex these days, typically to lackluster effect.

From Salon ● May 19, 2026

Then we were to go to the multiplex while my mother “picked up a few things at the mall,” which is what she calls shopping.

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

I’ve been heartened by the throngs of people gathered in multiplexes, even if it means the floors are extra sticky from spilled soda.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

Moviegoers were slow to return to multiplexes, and “Tenet” grossed just $58 million domestically.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Meanwhile, experts says that even though single screens offer cheaper tickets, many urban middle-class audiences no longer choose them because they cannot match the comfort and amenities of multiplexes.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2025

A wave of purple and hot pink hair and cartoon K-pop bops is taking over multiplexes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2025

Within a five-block radius of my apartment there are four first-run multiplexes and a dozen thirty-to-fifty-seat revival houses with rotating programs devoted to obscure and well-known actors, directors, and genres.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

As a result, fully independent control of phase and group delay for both spins within a compact device has remained difficult, even though it is essential for multi-channel and multiplexed optical systems.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 5, 2026

"Such assays can facilitate continued testing for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and can save both time and resources as we head into influenza season," noted the alert regarding the multiplexed method.

From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2021

They also plan to integrate this method with volumetric holographic multiplexing techniques, which could allow multiple pages and channels of data to be stored at once.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 29, 2026

Although other mRNA and protein nanoparticle vaccines are multiplexing to get breadth of protection, Simpson thinks that won’t be necessary with their VLPs.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 6, 2022

Helmchen’s and Smith’s designs use beam-splitters to provide effectively simultaneous imaging of multiple points — a process called temporal multiplexing.

From Nature ● Nov. 25, 2019

Consider phone networks: your calls share space with others through a technique called multiplexing - data gets time stamped, scrambled up, and unscrambled at the other end.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2019

TCP multiplexing improves server capacity by eliminating the overhead of opening and closing TCP server connections.

From Forbes ● Mar. 31, 2011

Related Words

• different
• numerous
• various