multiverse

American  

[muhl-ti-vurs] / ˈmʌl tɪˌvɜrs /

noun

1. Physics. (in cosmology) a hypothetical collection of identical or diverse universes, including our own.

   It is impossible to know how many universes could exist in the multiverse.

2. a collection of linked fictional settings composed of multiple alternate dimensions, different timelines, etc..

   The video game is overall a more accurate representation of the franchise's multiverse than its card counterpart.

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multiverse British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌvɜːs /

noun

1. astronomy the aggregate of all existing matter, of which the universe is but a tiny fragment

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multiverse Scientific  

/ mŭl′tə-vûrs′ /

1. The collection of parallel universes that comprise all of reality in some quantum mechanical and cosmological theories.

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Etymology

Origin of multiverse

Coined by William James in 1895 in the sense “the universe imagined as lacking order, unity, or a single ruling and guiding power”; multi- + (uni)verse

Example Sentences

Scrolling through the Sora app can feel a bit like entering a real-life multiverse.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2025

As the Fab Four’s multiverse continues to expand, so does ours.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2025

“First Steps” is set on Earth-828 — a tribute to “Fantastic Four” co-creator Jack Kirby, who was born Aug. 28, 1917 — a retrofuturistic world in a separate corner of the Marvel multiverse.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2025

Williams, 43, joked that a similar case during her own career would have put her "in jail", adding: "You would have heard about it in another multiverse."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

Brian Greene’s explanation of the multiverse in chapter 2 shows how a classic stylist can explain an esoteric idea in plain language without patronizing his audience.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker