multitude

[ muhl-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. a great number; host:

   a multitude of friends.

2. a great number of people gathered together; crowd; throng.

   Synonyms: mass

3. the state or character of being many; numerousness.
4. the multitude, the common people; the masses.

multitude

/ ˈmʌltɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a large gathering of people
2. the multitude
   the common people
3. a large number
4. the state or quality of being numerous

Word History and Origins

Origin of multitude¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English word from Latin word multitūdō. See multi-, -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of multitude¹

C14: via Old French from Latin multitūdō

Synonym Study

See crowd ¹.

Example Sentences

His most famous miracle was making a few loaves and fishes feed a multitude.

From The Daily Beast

The music sometimes sounding like the exorcism of a multitude of demons, each one of whom was mightily resisting his expulsion.

From The Daily Beast

“I would build a motor car for the great multitude,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

The multitude of decisions invalidating laws prohibiting same-sex marriage have rested on three different rationales.

From The Daily Beast

“Violence cannot be overcome with violence,” Francis told the multitude a week ago.

From The Daily Beast

And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.

From Project Gutenberg

His largesses were abundant, and the uproar of vehement thanksgiving, was ever on the watch from the venal multitude.

From Project Gutenberg

We have made several hundreds prisoners, and have killed a multitude of the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

For the house is forsaken, the multitude of the city is left, darkness and obscurity are come upon its dens for ever.

From Project Gutenberg

What a multitude of strange faces, and still stranger fashions, they would bring again to light!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• horde
• legion
• myriad
• slew
• throng