multiplicity
noun
mul·ti·plic·i·ty
ˌməl-tə-ˈpli-sə-tē 
plural multiplicities
1
2
: a great number
3
: the number of times a root of an equation or zero of a function occurs when there is more than one root or zero
the multiplicity of x = 2 for the equation (x − 2)3 = 0 is 3
Examples of multiplicity in a Sentence
a multiplicity of suggestions for turning the company around
Shakespeare's works seem to encompass the full multiplicity of human experience.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the meantime, the multiplicity of Eurasian problems overtaxes American resources and creates an atmosphere of pervasive, proliferating disarray.
—
Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
No One Knows How to Talk About Weight Loss Anymore
Many tissues in the body have receptors for GLP-1, a hormone, which explains its multiplicity of health effects.
—Alice Park, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Nevertheless, the district’s multiplicity accommodates different realities at once, even those whose ideologies conflict with the diverse beliefs of many native Washingtonians.
—Essence, 17 Jan. 2025
Resilience requires a multiplicity of suppliers, logistics networks, and production means.
—Saadia Zahidi, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for multiplicity
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Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
No One Knows How to Talk About Weight Loss Anymore
Many tissues in the body have receptors for GLP-1, a hormone, which explains its multiplicity of health effects.
—Alice Park, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Nevertheless, the district’s multiplicity accommodates different realities at once, even those whose ideologies conflict with the diverse beliefs of many native Washingtonians.
—Essence, 17 Jan. 2025
Resilience requires a multiplicity of suppliers, logistics networks, and production means.
—Saadia Zahidi, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for multiplicity
Cite this Entry
“Multiplicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiplicity. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
multiplicity
noun
mul·ti·plic·i·ty
ˌməl-tə-ˈplis-ət-ē
plural multiplicities
1
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
2
: a great number
Medical Definition
multiplicity
noun
mul·ti·plic·i·ty
ˌməl-tə-ˈplis-ət-ē
plural multiplicities
1
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
2
: the ratio of the number of infectious particles (as of a bacteriophage) to the number of cells at risk
monolayer cultures … were infected at an effective multiplicity of approximately 100—J. J. Holland
J. J. HollandLegal Definition
multiplicity
noun
mul·ti·plic·i·ty
ˌməl-tə-ˈpli-sə-tē
plural multiplicities
1
a
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
b
: the charging of a single criminal act or offense as multiple separate charges or counts of an indictment or information
multiplicity does not require dismissal of the indictment—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
compare duplicity sense 2, misjoinder
W. R. LaFave and J. H. IsraelNote: Multiplicity raises the risk of violating the double jeopardy protection against receiving multiple sentences for a single offense. Multiplicity is a defect that can be corrected without dismissal of the case.
2
: a great number
joinder is allowed to avoid a multiplicity of actions
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