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)
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
With clock addition and clock multiplication, the clock numbers meet the criteria for what mathematicians call a ring.
—
Courtney Gibbons, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
The internal workings of generative systems are based on matrix multiplication operations.
—Scharon Harding – May 14, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
One of the lessons from the Austin PSP program is the multiplication effect that supporting the success of parenting students can have.
—Edward Conroy, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
The math that allows a neural network to identify patterns in text is really just multiplication — lots and lots and lots of multiplication.
—Cade Metz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for multiplication
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Courtney Gibbons, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
The internal workings of generative systems are based on matrix multiplication operations.
—Scharon Harding – May 14, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
One of the lessons from the Austin PSP program is the multiplication effect that supporting the success of parenting students can have.
—Edward Conroy, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
The math that allows a neural network to identify patterns in text is really just multiplication — lots and lots and lots of multiplication.
—Cade Metz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for multiplication
Cite this Entry
“Multiplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiplication. Accessed 4 Jun. 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
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