multiplication
noun
mul·ti·pli·ca·tion
ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən 
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)
Synonyms
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
This multiplication of human capability through AI assistance raises profound questions about the future of work and human value.
—
John Werner, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Cocker’s lessons covered addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as calculation with pre-decimal British currency and a gentle introduction to 17th-century England’s bamboozling array of weights and measures.
—James Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
The major development here is the ability of a single chip to process both matrix multiplication, and non-linear operations.
—John Werner, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for multiplication 
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.
John Werner, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Cocker’s lessons covered addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as calculation with pre-decimal British currency and a gentle introduction to 17th-century England’s bamboozling array of weights and measures.
—James Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
The major development here is the ability of a single chip to process both matrix multiplication, and non-linear operations.
—John Werner, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for multiplication
Dictionary Entries Near multiplication
Cite this Entry
“Multiplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiplication. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
multiplication
noun
mul·ti·pli·ca·tion
ˌməl-tə-plə-ˈkā-shən
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share