mul·ti·ple
ˈməl-tə-pəl
1
: consisting of, including, or involving more than one
multiple births
multiple choices
3
: shared by many
multiple ownership
4
: having numerous aspects or functions : various
… a great novel gives us a very complex, very multiple impression of a portion of life …—Marjorie Boulton
5
: being a group of terminals (see terminal entry 2 sense 3) which make a circuit available at a number of points
6
: formed by coalescence of the ripening ovaries (see ovary sense 2) of several flowers
a multiple fruit
1
a
: the product of a quantity by an integer
35 is a multiple of 7
b
: something in units of more than one or two
3
chiefly British
: chain store
Cite this Entry
“Multiple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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