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

And while the number of structures that have been destroyed continues to climb by the thousands, the totality of damage is still unknown. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

The path of totality will envelope 109 million people in 13 countries in Central Africa and South Asia. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025

The ‘phenomena’ list With the success of the 2024 total solar eclipse drawing mass travel along the path of totality, natural phenomena are set to dominate travel trends in 2025, predicts Geographic Expeditions. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025

But for a few brief minutes when totality reached various cities across the U.S., schools let out, work came to a pause and people across the nation took a moment to take in the sight. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing totality

• in its/their totality

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