accumulator

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tor ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlā-tər 

plural accumulators

: one that accumulates: such as

a

: a device (as in a hydraulic system) in which a fluid is collected and especially in which it is kept under pressure as a means of storing energy

b

British : storage battery

c

: a part (as in a computer) where numbers are totaled or stored

d

chiefly British : a betting arrangement in which winnings garnered from one bet are immediately used to finance a subsequent bet : parlay

Examples of accumulator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Patients Come First implores California to recognize the harm caused by copay accumulators and keep patient choice at the center of the discussion. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024

In insurance jargon, this tactic is called a copay accumulator. —John Wilkerson, STAT, 17 Jan. 2024

Health plans use tools, called copay accumulators, to keep tabs on whether patients or drug companies were paying the tab for a certain medicine — and don’t count any drug company assistance toward a patient’s deductible or plan maximum. —John Wilkerson, STAT, 29 Nov. 2023

In this instance, the focus of the case was on a wonky, but significant tool called copay accumulators, which are used by health plans to blunt the cost of medicines prescribed to their beneficiaries. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

accumulate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

accumulator

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tor ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlāt-ər 

: one that accumulates

especially : a part (as in a computer) where numbers are totaled or stored