Omnibus means “for everyone” or “all together.” The word comes from Latin, where it literally means “for all.”

You'll most often see omnibus as a way to describe something that combines many things into one big collection. An omnibus bill in Congress bundles many different laws together into a single vote. An omnibus edition of a book series puts multiple novels between one cover, so instead of buying three separate books, you get them all in one thick volume.

The word also refers to a type of public transportation. In the 1800s, an omnibus was a large horse-drawn carriage that could carry many passengers along a fixed route, picking up anyone who wanted to ride. It was “for everyone,” unlike private carriages that served only wealthy families. Today, we usually shorten this to just “bus,” but in some countries, people still say omnibus.

When you see omnibus describing anything, from a museum exhibit to a television special, it signals that you're getting a comprehensive collection rather than just one piece. An omnibus survey asks questions about many different topics. An omnibus agreement settles multiple issues at once instead of addressing them separately.