totality

noun

to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈta-lə-tē 

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

Synonyms

• aggregate
• full
• sum
• sum total
• summation
• total
• whole

Examples of totality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the contrary, the credit rating agencies and bond investors understood that the city structures individual debt financings and refinancings to achieve optimal results for taxpayers in totality. —Pat Dowell, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Each franchise is different in the totality of their worth. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025

This one is authentically unprecedented in totality. —Axios, 19 Feb. 2025

More profoundly, Arteta has lost the player who, perhaps more than any other, embodies his idea of football in totality. —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing totality

• in its/their totality

Rhymes for totality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

Kids Definition

totality

noun

to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural totalities

1

: a combined amount : sum, whole

2

: the quality or state of being total : entirety

rejected the scheme in its totality