following vs multitude

following and multitude both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
following	Yes	Yes	No	No
multitude	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, multitude is a hypernym of following; that is, multitude is a word with a broader meaning than following:

Other hypernyms of following include hoi polloi, mass, masses, people, the great unwashed.

following (noun)	multitude (noun)
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture	a large gathering of people
a group of followers or enthusiasts	the common people generally
	a large indefinite quantity

following (adjective)	multitude (adjective)
going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction
in the desired direction
about to be mentioned or specified
immediately following in time or order