multinational

American  

[muhl-tee-nash-uh-nl, muhl-tahy-] / ˌmʌl tiˈnæʃ ə nl, ˌmʌl taɪ- /

noun

1. a large corporation with operations and subsidiaries in several countries.

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving several nations.

2. noting or pertaining to multinationals.

multinational British  

/ ˌmʌltɪˈnæʃənəl /

adjective

1. (of a large business company) operating in several countries

---

noun

1. such a company

Other Word Forms

• multinationalism noun
• multinationally adverb

Etymology

Origin of multinational

First recorded in 1925–30; multi- + national

Example Sentences

"It took the multinational coalition forces more than two years of intensive mine-countermeasure operations to declare the northern gulf mine free," he wrote in 2012.

From Barron's

There were six teams at last year's women's World Championships, including a British team, and multinational "Team World", with sell-out crowds.

From BBC

“The Joint Maritime Information Centre, a multinational naval advisory group, said there has been a near total pause in commercial traffic” through the Strait of Hormuz, ANZ Research analysts say in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

The three ships were part of a multinational naval exercise held by India before the war in the Middle East started last week.

From Barron's

This trend poses a structural challenge for multinational consumer companies as domestic and private labels gain market share.

From Barron's

Related Words

• continental
• global
• multicultural