multiverse

American  

[muhl-ti-vurs] / ˈmʌl tɪˌvɜrs /

noun

1. Physics. (in cosmology) a hypothetical collection of identical or diverse universes, including our own.

   It is impossible to know how many universes could exist in the multiverse.

2. a collection of linked fictional settings composed of multiple alternate dimensions, different timelines, etc..

   The video game is overall a more accurate representation of the franchise's multiverse than its card counterpart.

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multiverse British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌvɜːs /

noun

1. astronomy the aggregate of all existing matter, of which the universe is but a tiny fragment

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multiverse Scientific  

/ mŭl′tə-vûrs′ /

1. The collection of parallel universes that comprise all of reality in some quantum mechanical and cosmological theories.

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Etymology

Origin of multiverse

Coined by William James in 1895 in the sense “the universe imagined as lacking order, unity, or a single ruling and guiding power”; multi- + (uni)verse

Example Sentences

The hallmark of the “Khongian” multiverse, according to her agent, Marya Spence, are the boundless souls contained within her characters’ ordinary bodies.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Characters from both soaps will come face-to-face for the first time in the one-off Corriedale, which executive producer Iain Macleod jokes is "like the Marvel multiverse assembling".

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

As the Fab Four’s multiverse continues to expand, so does ours.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2025

The movie ended with Parker accidentally breaking open the multiverse and allowing two previous Spider-Men, played by Tobey MaGuire and Andrew Garfield, to return, with all three existing at the same time.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2025

According to multiverse theory, every version of our past and future histories exists, just in an alternate universe.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon