accumulation

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

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of accumulation

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

See accumulation defined for kids

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 of accumulation from the Web

An incoming icy winter storm that's bringing freezing rain, ice accumulation, sleet and gale force winds over Lake Huron is now predicted to extend its reach into metro Detroit counties.

— aleanna siacon, Detroit Free Press, "Metro Detroit won't escape incoming ice storm," 14 Apr. 2018
Overnight snow will taper to light snow or sprinkles Monday morning, leaving up to an inch of accumulation, mainly on grassy areas south and west of the city.

— tom skilling, chicagotribune.com, "More snow, then a brief spring fling," 8 Apr. 2018
Parts of east and central Kentucky could see accumulations of about half an inch, said National Weather Service observer Mike Crow.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Inch of snow falls overnight, landing a spot in city's top 10 April snowfalls in history," 7 Apr. 2018
The walkway includes an underground heating system that will prevent ice and snow accumulation in the winter, improving safety and reducing salt and snow removal costs.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Porter admin building's repaired front entrance to reopen," 23 Mar. 2018
Since the crisis, asset accumulation in rich economies, which still continues in the euro area and Japan, swelled central banks’ balance-sheets by trillions of dollars.

— The Economist, "Free exchangeCan’t hardly wait," 22 Mar. 2018
But forecasters noted the storm had sharp gradients that could cause several inches to fall in some spots, while nearby areas could see far less accumulation.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Spring nor'easter targets Northeast with heavy snow; affecting travel," 21 Mar. 2018
Ice accumulation on the overhead lines that power the streetcar made the streetcars immobile.

— max londberg, lynn horsley, glenn e. rice and kaitlyn schwers, kansascity, "Ice halts streetcar, closes schools and cancels flights at KCI on Tuesday," 20 Feb. 2018
Seattle has a longer-than-average rainy season, but is only 44th nationally in total accumulation, less than such cities as Atlanta, Houston and New York.

— daniel beekman, The Seattle Times, "‘Extreme’ rainstorms becoming more common in Seattle, says city meteorologist," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accumulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of accumulation

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

accumulation Synonyms

ACCUMULATION Defined for Kids

accumulation

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

Definition of accumulation for Students

1 : an act of collecting or gathering

the accumulation of snow

2 : collection 2

an accumulation of junk

Law Dictionary

accumulation

noun ac·cu·mu·la·tion

legal Definition of accumulation

: 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.