multinational

[muhl-tee-nash-uh-nl, muhl-tahy-]

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

/ ˌmʌltɪˈnæʃənəl /

adjective

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

noun

1. such a company

Other Word Forms

• multinationalism noun
• multinationally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of multinational¹

First recorded in 1925–30; multi- + national

Example Sentences

He said "many multinational corporations feel that doing business is now increasingly difficult", and that developing nations were especially vulnerable to economic turbulence.

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This time he became CEO of Halliburton, a huge multinational company that is a leading supplier of equipment to the oil industry.

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Mr Lucas said his small business was going up against "huge multinational companies" to get the compensation.

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Under the plans, UK troops could join a multinational force to secure Ukraine's border.

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"These multinational companies, by offering their services and provisions, enable and facilitate, both directly and indirectly, the creation... and the expansion of Israeli settlements," said the group's lawyer, Patrick Baudouin.

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Related Words

• continental 
• global 
• multicultural