amount

verb \ ə-ˈmau̇nt \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of amount

intransitive verb

1 a : to be the same in meaning or effect as

acts that amount to treason

b : to reach in kind or quality : to turn out to be

wanted her son to amount to something [=to be successful]

The changes don't really amount to much. [=are not really substantial or significant]

2 : to reach a total : add up

The bill amounts to $10.

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Recent Examples of amount from the Web

Currently, only poor people with children or poor single people over 25 years old can claim the benefit, which amounts to about a $100 cash refund, analysts said.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Negotiators reach deal in principle to cut Maryland taxes by as much as $100 million next year," 3 Apr. 2018
While Zara's algorithm — which amounts to simple coding that detects problems — might be a step in the right direction, there is no talk from the brand about the need for a diverse staff on the design level.

— alyssa hardy, Teen Vogue, "Zara Reportedly Uses a Diversity Algorithm to Scan Clothing," 3 Apr. 2018
Among them, their median loss was 92% of their net worth, which amounted to a median value of $101,568.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "A sudden loss of wealth may be hazardous to your health," 3 Apr. 2018
Scientists say the Tiangong-1 is currently spinning around Earth at 17,500 mph, which amounts to a trip around the planet every 90 minutes.

— chris ciaccia, Fox News, "China's Tiangong-1 space lab set to fall to Earth: What to expect," 1 Apr. 2018
In a postgame scrum with reporters, Foster estimated that he's attended 12 to 15 games this season as an emergency backup, which typically amounts to watching the game from the press box and eating dinner.

— tom schad, USA TODAY, "How did a 36-year-old accountant play goalie in Chicago Blackhawks' win?," 30 Mar. 2018
Council voted 7-1 in a special meeting to approve the buyout package, which amounts to eight months' pay.

— dan horn, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black says he's not taking council's buyout offer," 29 Mar. 2018
The most recent spending bill — passed by a Republican Congress — allows Planned Parenthood to continue to access taxpayer funding, which in the most recent fiscal year amounted to more than $500 million.

— belinda luscombe, Time, "Outgoing Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards Is Not Done Fighting," 29 Mar. 2018
Facebook turned data—which amounts to an X-ray of the inner self—into a commodity traded without our knowledge.

— franklin foer, The Atlantic, "It’s Time to Regulate the Internet," 21 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of amount

Middle English, from Anglo-French amounter, from amount upward, from a- (from Latin ad-) + mont mountain — more at mount

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First Known Use: 14th century

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amount

noun

Definition of amount

1 a : the total number or quantity : aggregate

trying to figure the amount of time it will take

b : the quantity at hand or under consideration

has an enormous amount of energy

2 : the whole effect, significance, or import

3 accounting : a principal sum and the interest on it

See amount defined for English-language learners

amount vs. number

Number is regularly used with count nouns

- a large number of mistakes
- any number of times

while amount is mainly used with mass nouns.

- annual amount of rainfall
- a substantial amount of money

The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently criticized; it usually occurs when the number of things is thought of as a mass or collection