amount

verb \ ə-ˈmau̇nt \

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.

See amount defined for English-language learners

See amount defined for kids

Recent Examples of amount from the Web

That amounts to about 0.006 percent of the region’s annual GDP.

— mike rosenberg, The Seattle Times, "Seattle companies to workers for eclipse: Stop working and go outside," 21 Aug. 2017
That amounts to between $27.5 million and $32.5 million, depending on the project's final cost.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Will asking Children's to cough up millions more backfire on Yvette Simpson?," 8 Aug. 2017
Defense attorneys Bryan Truitt and Larry Rogers questioned the compensation Jurgensen received from the FBI for working as an informant, amounting to roughly $120,000.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Informant in Buncich trial: 'I needed to pay'," 7 Aug. 2017
Detectors such as LIGO and Virgo detect the tiny changes, amounting to about 1/100,000 of a nanometer or the width of an atomic nucleus, by comparing the length of a pair of 4-kilometer-long arms with lasers to extreme accuracy.

— daniel clery, Science | AAAS, "European gravitational wave detector back in action," 1 Aug. 2017
The support of the federal government amounted to little more than another photo opportunity to showcase Clinton as a feminist icon.

— aaron goldstein, National Review, "Why Can’t People Accept That Amelia Earhart Is Probably at the Bottom of the Pacific Ocean?," 19 July 2017
This would take up to six years and would amount to increased payments of about 6 percent.

— joe davidson | columnist, Washington Post, "Why this GOP House member is bucking his party to oppose Trump’s retirement cuts for feds," 11 July 2017
In a statement posted on Twitter, Trump Jr. said that meeting never amounted to anything.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Trump Jr.'s Russia emails: Yarmuth calls for 'consequences,' McConnell deflects questions," 11 July 2017
The authors conclude that the male baboons’ behavior amounts to sexual intimidation.

— michael price, Science | AAAS, "Are some primates wired for sexual harassment?," 6 July 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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

- 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

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 of amount from the Web

If your dog becomes very upset when visiting a groomer, consider using a mobile grooming operation, which minimizes the amount of time your dog spends out of your home at the groomer’s.

— kevin brasler, The Seattle Times, "Tips on finding a good dog groomer in the Puget Sound area," 30 Aug. 2017
Longhi is believed to have stolen small amounts of money and electronics from the Niki Moon Salon & Spa and the Vasectomy Clinics of Chicago/thinfast MD medical office, court records said.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "'Habitual criminal' sought in Naperville strip mall burglaries," 29 Aug. 2017
The FTC did not say exactly how many people will get refunds or what the typical refund amount will be.

— jon brodkin, Ars Technica, "Tech support scam victims lost $120 million—and will get $10 million back," 28 Aug. 2017
MSU went through a large amount of roster attrition.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "2017 Michigan Wolverines football game-by-game predictions," 28 Aug. 2017
Some areas have already received about half that amount.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin fishmongers face uncertain return to storm-ravaged Texas," 28 Aug. 2017
Amounts of those pollutants in plant discharges, however, were well below state permit limits set to protect Lake Michigan water quality, according to district officials.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee sewerage district imposes $151,000 penalty on treatment plant operator," 25 Aug. 2017
Indeed, says Keith Johnson, managing director of the Republic Bank here, at first the establishment gave a small amount to support Eastwood.

— clara germani, The Christian Science Monitor, "Most Grenadians don’t know how to swim. But one woman is changing that.," 25 Aug. 2017
Miller is being held on an unspecified amount of bail, while Joshua Green has been released from custody.

— chris harris, PEOPLE.com, "Leader of Military-Style Christian Sect in New Mexico Accused of Sexually Abusing Young Girl," 24 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of amount

see ¹amount

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1586

See Words from the same year

amount Synonyms

Synonyms

measure, quantity, quantum, volume

Related Words

coefficient, degree; body, portion; many, number

AMOUNT Defined for English Language Learners

amount

noun

Definition of amount for English Language Learners

: a quantity of something
: a quantity of money

AMOUNT Defined for Kids

amount

verb \ ə-ˈmau̇nt \

Definition of amount for Students

amounted; amounting

1 :to add up

The bill amounted to ten dollars.

2 :to be the same in meaning or effect

Giving up would amount to failure.

amount

noun

Definition of amount for Students

:the total number or quantity Add a small amount of salt.

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See words that rhyme with amount Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for amount Spanish Central: Translation of amount Nglish: Translation of amount for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of amount for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of amount

amount

Definition of amount

amount vs. number

Examples of amount in a Sentence

Recent Examples of amount from the Web

Origin and Etymology of amount

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Synonyms

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AMOUNT Defined for English Language Learners

amount

Definition of amount for English Language Learners

AMOUNT Defined for Kids

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Definition of amount for Students

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Definition of amount for Students

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