accumulation

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tion ə-ˌkyü-m(y)ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: something that has accumulated or has been accumulated

an impressive accumulation of knowledge

2

: the action or process of accumulating something : the state of being or having accumulated

the steady accumulation of snow

3

: increase or growth by addition especially when continuous or repeated

accumulation of interest

Synonyms

• collection
• mixture
• cumulation
• pile
• assemblage
• jumble
• accretion
• gathering

Examples of accumulation in a Sentence

a vast accumulation of evidence about the dangers of smoking

the accumulation of leaves on the ground is proceeding at a much faster rate than my raking

Recent Examples on the Web

Health inspectors found old food and grease accumulation on the fan cover above the two-door freezer, on the floor beneath the back storage racks and on the wall behind the second cook line. —Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The best storm thus far in the northern metro dropped one quarter inch of rain, so some accumulations up to this amount are possible with any stronger storms that develop. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

Increasingly, nutrition scientists are grappling with questions about whether a difference in quality of two equally caloric foods affects fat accumulation. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025

The giant leap from fair compensation to wealth accumulation is easily appraised and confirmed; a swelling of profits is directly tied to the surge in chronic illness. —David Marks, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French accumulacion, borrowed from Latin accumulātiōn-, accumulātiō, from accumulāre "to accumulate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accumulation

• point of accumulation

Rhymes for accumulation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration
• affiliation

Kids Definition

accumulation

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tion ə-ˌkyü-myə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: a collecting together : amassing

2

: increase or growth by addition

3

: something accumulated : collection

Legal Definition

accumulation

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tion

: increase or growth by addition especially when continuous or repeated

specifically : an increase in the amount of a fund or property by the continuous addition to it of the income or interest it generates

to treat a stock dividend as principal when local law classifies it as income may be deemed an accumulation

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

see also accumulation trust at trust

Note: Because they prevent the enjoyment and benefit of wealth, accumulations are deemed contrary to public policy. A provision in a will for an accumulation will be invalidated if found to be unreasonable by the court.