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

But even if they don’t, El Niño acts like a force multiplier in an already-warming world.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

"Any initiative that strengthens Ukraine's already highly capable, but heavily burdened, cyber defence efforts is a welcome development and could provide a valuable force multiplier," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

The grant has also been a force multiplier for smaller departments.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

Infrastructure investments have an important GDP multiplier effect that can foster significant economic growth by keeping basic services available and flowing, Cliquet said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Fifty thousand pounds in modern money, using a retail price index, but £725,000 in modern money using an average wage multiplier.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton