multiplier

American  

[muhl-tuh-plahy-er] / ˈmʌl təˌplaɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that multiplies.

2. Arithmetic. a number by which another is multiplied.

3. Physics. a device for intensifying some effect.

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multiplier British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌplaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that multiplies

2. the number by which another number, the multiplicand, is multiplied See also multiplicand

3. physics any device or instrument, such as a photomultiplier, for increasing an effect

4. economics

   1. the ratio of the total change in income (resulting from successive rounds of spending) to an initial autonomous change in expenditure

   2. ( as modifier )

      multiplier effects

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multiplier Scientific  

/ mŭl′tə-plī′ər /

1. The number by which another number is multiplied.

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Etymology

Origin of multiplier

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at multiply ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

multiplier

Because it was so truthful, because it came from such a truthful place, it had a multiplier effect when we put it on TV.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Overcoming the aerodynamic drag inherent with a trad-core design was a degree-of-difficulty multiplier for Rivian’s team, requiring lots of computer simulation and iterative, millimeter-scale noodling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026

"We are hoping they can be a force multiplier," Stahl said, in an interview with Fox News.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026

White House border czar Tom Homan told Fox News Sunday that ICE agents would be acting as a force multiplier.

From Barron's ● Mar. 22, 2026

Jack’s straight-backed, brown-ink copperplate told her to assume a multiplier of fifty.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan