totality

noun

to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce totality (audio)
plural totalities
1
: an aggregate amount : sum, whole
the totality of human knowledge
2
a
: the quality or state of being total : wholeness
This … looks at the problem globally, in its totality.Philip Landrigan, quoted at NPR.org
b
: the phase of an eclipse during which it is total : the state of total eclipse

Examples of totality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But, for now, the totality of the economic data isn’t expected to draw out Federal Reserve policymakers from their monthslong stint as wallflowers, economists say. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 June 2025 Her career spans over three decades as both an unmatched practitioner of theater and a transformative cultural figure, redefining what’s possible on the stage for women, for Black artists, and for the totality of American theater. Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 Here’s how bad things have gotten for the Dodgers: the totality of their scoring this weekend came on a Freddie Freeman strikeout in the ninth inning. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025 Kagan reasoned that the moment-of-threat test is at odds with prior Supreme Court precedent, which established the totality of circumstances test as appropriate. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for totality

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of totality was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Totality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totality. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

totality

noun
to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce totality (audio)
plural totalities
1
: a combined amount : sum, whole
2
: the quality or state of being total : entirety
rejected the scheme in its totality

More from Merriam-Webster on totality

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