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

It’s also working on a more powerful pair of AR glasses that lets people take video calls, get recipe recommendations and multitask in other ways.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

The problem was that Remi struggled to multitask.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2024

There are times where you can totally multitask.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2023

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