multitude Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a large indefinite number
    plurality; battalion; pack; large number.
    • a battalion of ants
    • a multitude of TV antennas
    • a plurality of religions
  2. noun a large gathering of people
    throng; concourse.
  3. noun the common people generally
    people; masses; the great unwashed; mass; hoi polloi.
    • separate the warriors from the mass
    • power to the people

WordNet

Mul"ti*tude noun
Etymology
F. multitude, L. multitudo, multitudinis, fr. multus much, many; of unknown origin.
Definitions
  1. A great number of persons collected together; a numerous collection of persons; a crowd; an assembly.
    But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them. Matt. ix. 36.
  2. A great number of persons or things, regarded collectively; as, the book will be read by a multitude of people; the multitude of stars; a multitude of cares.
    It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they uttery neglect method in their harangues. I. Watts.
    A multitude of flowers As countless as the stars on high. Longfellow.
  3. The state of being many; numerousness.
    They came as grasshoppers for multitude. Judg. vi. 5.
    Syn. -- Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty; swarm; populace; vulgar. See Throng.

Webster 1913