What does multi- mean in medical terms?
multi-
Meaning: many
Type: Prefix
A prefix goes at the very start of a word, before the root. On this page: what multi- means, and real medical words that use it, each broken down into its parts.
Example words using multi-
multicellular
multi- (many) + cellular (relating to cells) = made of many cells
multi- (many) + cellular (relating to cells) = made of many cells
multipara
multi- (many) + para (one who has given birth) = a person who has given birth more than once
multi- (many) + para (one who has given birth) = a person who has given birth more than once
multivitamin
multi- (many) + vitamin (a nutrient substance) = a preparation containing many vitamins
multi- (many) + vitamin (a nutrient substance) = a preparation containing many vitamins
Shortened forms
Charts and notes shorten long terms — see the Medical Abbreviations guide for the short forms you will meet in real records.
Please note: This section teaches the language of medicine — what word parts mean and how terms are built. It is an educational reference, not medical advice. For the meaning of a word in your own medical record, ask the clinician who wrote it.