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 of totality

• total
• sum
• whole

Examples of totality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For those planning to photograph the blood moon with telescopes or telephoto lenses, the 59-minute totality window gives you solid working time to experiment with exposure bracketing and capture the subtle shift in hue between the start and greatest eclipse. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026

Darker locations away from city lights will offer the best experience, particularly for appreciating the full depth of the Moon’s reddish hue during totality. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026

For those photographing with telescopes or telephoto lenses, the 59-minute totality window provides solid working time to experiment with exposure bracketing and capture the subtle shift in hue between totality’s start and greatest eclipse. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026

What a museum does have to do is present the evidence, to say, This is the totality. —Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026

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