accumulation

noun

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

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

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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 on the Web

The national debt represents the accumulation of all the annual deficits. — Christopher Rugaber, The Seattle Times, "Fact-checking Trump’s week of economic and other fictions," 13 Aug. 2018 Another claimed the accumulation of cosmic debris caused the planet’s mass to increase. — Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, "We’ve Been Wrong Before: The Expanding Earth Theory," 3 Aug. 2018 That kind of slow accumulation of self-sufficiency can serve as a great core for telling a larger story, as recent survival game Subnautica ably proved. — Steven Strom, Ars Technica, "Frostpunk review: Urban planning at the end of the world," 24 Apr. 2018 Dozens of school districts canceled classes ahead of snow accumulation expected to reach as much as 18 inches in some areas. — CBS News, "Massive storm system spawns tornado in Arkansas, blizzard in Plains," 14 Apr. 2018 The first dates from 1956, when Robert Solow and Trevor Swan independently developed models based on the idea that growth is a consequence of capital accumulation. — The Economist, "Economists understand little about the causes of growth," 12 Apr. 2018 The second day of spring dawned in Laurel with snow on the ground, more falling from the sky and weather forecasters calling for 3 to 7 inches of additional accumulation. — Kate Elizabeth Queram, Laurel Leader, "Laurel government closes, snow emergency declared," 21 Mar. 2018 Slick roads and reduced visibility will be concerns mid-evening through overnight Tuesday as freezing rain could add light ice to a possible inch of snow accumulation, according to the National Weather Service. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "National Weather Service: Expect wintry mix, slick roads for Wednesday morning commute," 6 Feb. 2018 Snowfall accumulations may be heavier within the Seattle metro area and extend into the evening. — Seattle Times Staff, The Seattle Times, "Updates from Seattle’s snowy Monday: Rain coming as warm air moves north," 12 Feb. 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near accumulation

accumulated

accumulated surplus

accumulated temperature

accumulation

accumulation factor

accumulation of energy

accumulative

Statistics for accumulation

Last Updated

5 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for accumulation

The first known use of accumulation was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for accumulation

accumulation

noun

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

Kids Definition of accumulation

1 : an act of collecting or gathering the accumulation of snow

2 : collection sense 2 an accumulation of junk

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.