multitude

[ muhl-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. a great number; host:

   a multitude of friends.

2. a great number of people gathered together; crowd; throng.

   Synonyms: mass

3. the state or character of being many; numerousness.
4. the multitude, the common people; the masses.

multitude

/ ˈmʌltɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a large gathering of people
2. the multitude
   the common people
3. a large number
4. the state or quality of being numerous

Word History and Origins

Origin of multitude¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English word from Latin word multitūdō. See multi-, -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of multitude¹

C14: via Old French from Latin multitūdō

Synonym Study

See crowd ¹.

Example Sentences

A simple message, which evokes a multitude of memories for almost an entire nation, neatly summed up what Nadal means to Spain.

From BBC

Do you browse and graze and get a big picture of the musical multitudes?

From Los Angeles Times

A multitude of genes have been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

From Science Daily

Farrow and LuPone know from the many chapters of their own lives that they contain multitudes.

From Los Angeles Times

She said that “while interstate transportation of animals may contribute to disease transmission, this virus is spread through a multitude of paths, not all of which are understood.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• horde
• legion
• myriad
• slew
• throng