multiple

[muhl-tuh-puhl]

adjective

1. consisting of, having, or involving several or many individuals, parts, elements, relations, etc.; manifold.

2. Electricity.

   1. (of circuits) arranged in parallel.

   2. (of a circuit or circuits) having a number of points at which connection can be made.

3. Botany.,  (of a fruit) collective.

noun

1. Mathematics.,  a number that contains another number an integral number of times without a remainder.

   12 is a multiple of 3.

2. Electricity.,  a group of terminals arranged to make a circuit or group of circuits accessible at a number of points at any one of which connection can be made.

multiple

/ ˈmʌltɪpəl /

adjective

1. having or involving more than one part, individual, etc

   he had multiple injuries

2. electronics (of a circuit) having a number of conductors in parallel

noun

1. the product of a given number or polynomial and any other one

   6 is a multiple of 2

2. telephony an electrical circuit accessible at a number of points to any one of which a connection can be made

3. short for multiple store

multiple

1. A number that may be divided by another number with no remainder. For example, 4, 10, and 32 are multiples of 2.

Other Word Forms

• multiply adverb
• nonmultiple adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiple¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from French, from Late Latin multiplus “manifold”; multi-

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiple¹

C17: via French from Late Latin multiplus, from Latin _multiplex

Example Sentences

That’s not exactly encouraging news since Colorado’s collection of prospects ranks in the bottom seven in baseball in multiple surveys.

From Los Angeles Times

First, mRNA vaccines induce immune responses that can attack the virus at multiple spots, so it would have to come up with many mutations at once to escape the vaccine’s defenses.

From Salon

But the uncertainty may not be over for Thailand which has seen multiple administrations deposed by court interventions and military coups in the recent past.

From BBC

Tyson, 59, is a former undisputed heavyweight champion while Mayweather, 48, retired undefeated after 50 fights, winning multiple titles across a number of weight classes.

From BBC

He said that he has submitted his photo ID, his credit cards, and multiple images of his face in order to prove his identity.

From BBC

Related Words

• different 
• numerous 
• various