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

Unlike last year's total solar eclipse, during which there were a few brief moments during totality when the sun was shielded and people could safely remove eyewear to take in the sight, during a partial solar eclipse, there is no safe time for sky gazers to view the spectacle with the naked eye. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

The latter causes a total solar eclipse, which is seen across a dark and narrow corridor on Earth called the path of totality. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2025

Western Europe and parts of West Africa will catch totality at moonset. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2025

During totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 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