Definition of sum
1 : an indefinite or specified amount of money
2 : the whole amount : aggregate
3 : the utmost degree : summit reached the sum of human happiness
4a : a summary of the chief points or thoughts : summation the sum of this criticism follows — C. W. Hendelb : gist the sum and substance of an argument
5a (1) : the result of adding numbers the sum of 5 and 7 is 12 (2) : the limit of the sum of the first n terms of an infinite series as n increases indefinitelyb : numbers to be added; broadly : a problem in arithmeticc (1) : disjunction 2 (2) : union 2d
in sum
: in short : briefly
Explore Merriam-Webster
Origin and Etymology of sum
Middle English summe, from Anglo-French sume, somme, from Latin summa, from feminine of summus highest; akin to Latin super over — more at over
First Known Use: 14th century
sum
Definition of sum
summed
;summing
Examples of sum in a Sentence
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
14th Century
First Known Use of sum
14th century
Origin and Etymology of sum
Uzbek so'm ruble
First Known Use: 1993
SUM Defined for Kids
Definition of sum for Students
1 : the result obtained by adding numbers The sum of 4 and 5 is 9.
2 : a problem in arithmetic
3 : a quantity of money We donated a small sum.
4 : the whole amount Two trips is the sum of my travel experience.
Learn More about sum
-
See words that rhyme with sum Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sum Spanish Central: Translation of sum Nglish: Translation of sum for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sum for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up sum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!