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 Words From

• multi·nation·al·ism noun
• multi·nation·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of multinational¹

First recorded in 1925–30; multi- + national

Example Sentences

During the coronavirus pandemic, alternative protein products have soared in popularity, prompting nearly every multinational food corporation to hasten to bring its own versions to market.

From Washington Post

We’re proud the network to date includes a multinational group of powerful business leaders across industries.

From Fortune

Pencil is already being used by about 100 companies, including some big multinationals such as Unilever.

From Fortune

Connections Academy, which operates six schools serving 6,500 students in California, is a subsidiary of Pearson, a multinational corporation.

From Washington Post

The multinational theater company has had a rough year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

From Quartz

The Keystone project is not an American one, but a global one, financed and favored by major multinational oil interests.

From The Daily Beast

Héctor's older brothers Arturo and Alfredo were men with the right temperament to preside over a multinational crime syndicate.

From The Daily Beast

After all, Disney is a multinational corporation that saw $45 billion in earnings last year.

From The Daily Beast

Industrially brewed by large, monopolistic, multinational corporations with marketing programs that may target children.

From The Daily Beast

In addition, he took the first steps toward being a multinational corporation—wholly owned by himself.

From The Daily Beast

In Iraq, multinational forces are operating under a mandate from the United Nations.

From Project Gutenberg

Your joint resolution on the multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon is also serving the cause of peace.

From Project Gutenberg

Now the multinational peacekeeping force and our marines are helping them break their cycle of despair.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• continental
• global
• multicultural