multitask

American  

[muhl-tee-task, -tahsk, muhl-tahy-] / ˈmʌl tiˌtæsk, -ˌtɑsk, ˈmʌl taɪ- /

verb (used without object)

1. Computers. (of a single CPU) to execute two or more jobs concurrently.

2. (of one person) to perform two or more tasks simultaneously.

---

multitask British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌtɑːsk /

verb

1. to work at several different tasks simultaneously

---

Other Word Forms

• multi-tasking
  noun
• multitasker
  noun
• multitasking
  noun

Etymology

Origin of multitask

First recorded in 1960–65; multi- + task

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

multitask

That result challenges the long-accepted belief that people cannot truly multitask.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

With several hours to fill through the day, she says she "always tries to multitask when travelling".

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

He seems to be the only one who can pass a simple cognitive test — and he can obviously multitask.

From Salon ● May 8, 2026

This means resisting the urge to take a phone call on a walk, listen to a podcast in the car or otherwise multitask while doing simple things.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026

Nevertheless, when his brain was asked to do too much, to multitask, it became overloaded.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel