multiplication

noun

mul·​ti·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce multiplication (audio)
1
: the act or process of multiplying : the state of being multiplied
2
a
: a mathematical operation that at its simplest is an abbreviated process of adding an integer to zero a specified number of times and that is extended to other numbers in accordance with laws that are valid for integers
b
: any of various mathematical operations that are analogous in some way to multiplication of the real numbers but are defined for other or larger sets of elements (such as complex numbers, vectors, matrices, or functions)

Examples of multiplication in a Sentence

Students are learning multiplication and division. a disease causing uncontrolled multiplication of cells an uncontrolled multiplication of cells
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This leads to a multiplication of customer profiles and fragmentation of visitor activity tracks. Ilya Lashch, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 In its first wave, two main technologic innovations bolstered the number of creators: The multiplication of open access distribution channels such as social media platforms, Discord, and newsletters allowed users to distribute their work, in theory, to millions of potential viewers. Ruby Justice Thelot, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024 The team plied their subject AI models with questions drawn from a popular collection of more than 8,000 grade school arithmetic problems testing schoolchildren’s understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 At their core, these networks rely on large matrix multiplication functions, which are computationally expensive and energy-intensive. Charles Towers-Clark, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for multiplication 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English multiplicacioun, from Anglo-French multiplicacion, from Latin multiplication-, multiplicatio, from multiplicare to multiply

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multiplication was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near multiplication

Cite this Entry

“Multiplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiplication. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

multiplication

noun
mul·​ti·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce multiplication (audio)
1
: the act or process of multiplying
2
: a mathematical operation that takes two numbers and gives an answer equal to the sum of a column containing one of the numbers repeated the number of times of the other number
the multiplication of 8 and 3 is the same as the sum of 8+8+8
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!