multiple

American  

[muhl-tuh-puhl] / ˈmʌl tə pəl /

adjective

1. consisting of, having, or involving several or many individuals, parts, elements, relations, etc.; manifold.

2. Electricity.

   1. (of circuits) arranged in parallel.

   2. (of a circuit or circuits) having a number of points at which connection can be made.

3. Botany. (of a fruit) collective.

---

noun

1. Mathematics. a number that contains another number an integral number of times without a remainder.

   12 is a multiple of 3.

2. Electricity. a group of terminals arranged to make a circuit or group of circuits accessible at a number of points at any one of which connection can be made.

multiple British  

/ ˈmʌltɪpəl /

adjective

1. having or involving more than one part, individual, etc

   he had multiple injuries

2. electronics (of a circuit) having a number of conductors in parallel

---

noun

1. the product of a given number or polynomial and any other one

   6 is a multiple of 2

2. telephony an electrical circuit accessible at a number of points to any one of which a connection can be made

3. short for multiple store

multiple Scientific  

/ mŭl′tə-pəl /

1. A number that may be divided by another number with no remainder. For example, 4, 10, and 32 are multiples of 2.

---

Other Word Forms

• multiply adverb
• nonmultiple adjective

Etymology

Origin of multiple

First recorded in 1570–80; from French, from Late Latin multiplus “manifold”; multi-

Explanation

When you're talking about more than one, you're talking about multiple things. A machine with many fixtures has multiple parts. A person that seems like two totally different people on different days might have multiple personalities. The word multiple comes from the Latin multiplus meaning "manifold." When something exists in multiple forms, it's manifold, or has many kinds. Think of a multiplex theater that can show multiple movies at once. Walk through a garden full of flowers and you'll see multiple kinds of blooms. A multiple is also a number that can be divided into another number without a remainder. Multiples of five, for example are ten, fifteen, twenty... — you get the picture.

Example Sentences

By listing the same property multiple times with varying prices across multiple platforms, they were able to choose the most profitable reservation while canceling others, according to the plea agreements.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

"This is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle the multiple serious risks facing consumers when shopping online," said its chief executive, Lesley Rudd.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

However, he noted that that there are about 6 billion mobile lines currently in service and 2.5 billion people without broadband service, leaving plenty of room for multiple competitors.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Sharapova said she met with multiple potential partners but picked Vox Media because it offered her creative control.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

If sole were the sole type of fish whose name had multiple meanings, that would be one thing to carp about, but three is enough to make anyone flounder.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• different
• numerous
• various