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.

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multitask British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌtɑːsk /

verb

1. to work at several different tasks simultaneously

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Other Word Forms

• multi-tasking noun
• multitasker noun
• multitasking noun

Etymology

Origin of multitask

First recorded in 1960–65; multi- + task

Example Sentences

When cameras are on, participants can’t multitask or pretend to be paying attention when they aren’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

The problem was that Remi struggled to multitask.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2024

“While I can multitask in my life and as a PR professional, I cannot multitask creatively,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2023

There are times when you need to multitask, and there are times you can multitask, and then there are times where you really have to keep your eye on the ball.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2023

The various techniques let researchers understand which brain regions control what functions, and how tissues and tasks get impacted by different activities, say, when a person tries to multitask.

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