amount

verb

\ ə-ˈmau̇nt

amounted; amounting; amounts

Definition of amount

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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.

amount

noun

Definition of amount (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

Synonyms amount vs. number More Example Sentences Learn More about amount

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Synonyms for amount

Synonyms: Noun

measure, quantity, quantum, volume

amount vs. number: Usage Guide

Noun

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 glad to furnish any amount of black pebbles —New Yorker a substantial amount of film offers —Lily Tomlin or when money is involved. a substantial amount of loans —E. R. Black

Examples of amount in a Sentence

Noun

The drug is not being produced in adequate amounts. What is the amount to be paid? An amount was finally agreed upon. The new law limits the amount a candidate can spend. When he died we found he owed money to the amount of $250,000!

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Only eight hours in total are permitted each week, which amounts to a 64-hour, crash-course introduction to the Boise State men's basketball program for the seven new faces joining the Broncos for the 2018-19 season. — Rachel Roberts, idahostatesman, "Boise State will host Final Four squad in Taco Bell Arena this November," 10 July 2018 China denies the claims, which if confirmed would amount to the largest espionage operation in history. — The Economist, "Xi’s world order: July 2024," 7 July 2018 The 395 Express Lanes will essentially amount to an extension of the 95 Express Lanes, and are slated to open next year. — Washington Post, "Virginia explores extending the 495 Express Lanes to the American Legion Bridge," 30 June 2018 That piece will be 9 by 36 feet, which amounts to almost the exact square footage of the studio. — Sam Whiting, SFChronicle.com, "Artist’s life: Emily Fromm, painter of urban landscapes," 28 June 2018 That request encompasses 832 emails, which amounts to 5,100 pages of text, repetitive content and extraneous metadata, Morris said. — Emily K. Coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Lake County Lines: Hunt on for retail options at proposed North Chicago development," 17 June 2018 One option would provide IPS with $600,000 a year in rent, which amounts to $6 million over the first 10 years. — James Briggs, Indianapolis Star, "Exclusive: Charter schools say IPS rejected a multi-million dollar offer for Broad Ripple High School," 15 June 2018 Both volunteer their time, which amounts to about four hours per week for Harkey and double that for Estes, plus weekend travel to races that are up to five hours away, despite not having children on the team. — Tess Strokes, Outside Online, "Trading Football for Fat Tires in Mississippi," 6 June 2018 For the 48 units, there will be 192 parking stalls, which amounts to two indoor stalls per unit and two outdoor stalls per unit. — Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Weston Meadows Apartments project moves ahead in Oconomowoc," 18 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The three leading candidates in the Democratic primary for Baltimore County executive spent a significant amount of money on television ads before the vote. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore County Democrats spent nearly $1.7M on TV ads in primary," 14 July 2018 This is why the Mets have listened to trade offers for many of their players, including Syndergaard, the All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom and pitcher Zack Wheeler, who has received a good amount of interest because of his lower acquisition cost. — James Wagner, New York Times, "Syndergaard Returns for Five Innings in Mets’ Win Over Nationals," 13 July 2018 The oil industry and Trump’s supporters say the president is swinging the pendulum back to energy after Obama conserved a record amount of federal land, some of which Trump has undone. — Zack Colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018 Some of them not so much, but yeah, to still maintain a sizable or at least a good amount of points from Iowa is good. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Scott Dixon climbs back atop IndyCar mountain as Hondas dominate Day 1 in Toronto," 13 July 2018 In fact, a fair amount would rather do away with the relationship drama and rally behind something different: independence. — Kathryn Lindsay, refinery29.com, "Why Be Engaged When You Can Be An Ex?," 13 July 2018 Some of the big donors are big corporate interests that give to groups like this, but this list shows a disproportionate amount of money from industries who profit from things that are inherently bad for the public. — Tom Loftus, The Courier-Journal, "A GOP group influential in Kentucky is funded by tobacco and casinos," 13 July 2018 The commission agreed to transfer more than $20 million from the water fund last year and is preparing to transfer a similar amount this year. — Meris Lutz, ajc, "Cobb raises water rates, takes millions for general fund," 12 July 2018 Microsoft is giving its Notepad app for Windows a surprising amount of new features. — Tom Warren, The Verge, "Microsoft is updating the Windows Notepad app for the first time in years," 12 July 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.