summation

noun sum·ma·tion \ (ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shən \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of summation

1 : the act or process of forming a sum : addition

2 : sum, total

3 : cumulative action or effect; especially : the process by which a sequence of stimuli that are individually inadequate to produce a response are cumulatively able to induce a nerve impulse

4 : a final part of an argument reviewing points made and expressing conclusions

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summational

play \(ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See summation defined for English-language learners

See summation defined for kids

Examples of summation in a Sentence

A summation can be found at the end of the report.
We gave a summation of our discovery.
The defense attorneys and prosecutors are set to make their final summations today.

Recent Examples of summation from the Web

Together the messages are the perfect summation of all that the Knotty Pine is.

— devra first, BostonGlobe.com, "Why the club sandwich may just be the perfect American food," 11 June 2018
Yet there Miranda was, staring at the camera and giving a completely honest summation of her greatest romantic worry.

— refinery29.com, "Sex And The City Might Be Dated, But It’ll Never Get Old," 6 June 2018
On a wall of her room back in Grants Pass, Deshae has slapped up a slew of Post-It notes, and written on a red one next to a cup of pens—amidst the Bible verses and reminders to herself—is a simple summation of her life so far.

— jeremy fuchs, SI.com, "Life After Escaping the World of Human Trafficking," 10 May 2018
When the alternates were released, after summations, three stayed to wait for a verdict.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "The Jury and the Family Speak Out As the Nanny Trial Ends," 19 Apr. 2018
Now, on the eve of the film's release, he's found himself in a strange place: First Reformed feels like a career summation, the period at the end of a sentence.

— zach baron, GQ, "Paul Schrader Isn't Done Yet," 18 May 2018
The album really is the summation of his career, even if its bluesy Americana style is markedly different than the John Oates people may know.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "John Oates, pal Daryl Hall, join Train for a night of power pop at The Q," 15 May 2018
The judge gave prosecutors two hours for closings, and an hour and a half to Portillo and Pike for their summation.

— guillermo contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "Closing arguments Monday in trial of former top Bandidos leaders," 13 May 2018
That’s a fair summation of Darwin’s own pitching career.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty: With Matt Harvey on Cincinnati Reds, it's Dr. Death vs. the Dark Knight," 11 May 2018

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

First Known Use of summation

1760

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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summation Synonyms

Phrases

grand total, the whole bit, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole nine yards, the whole shebang;

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

SUMMATION Defined for English Language Learners

summation

noun

Definition of summation for English Language Learners

: a brief description of the most important information about something
law : a final speech made by a lawyer in a court of law to give a summary of the main arguments in a case

Medical Dictionary

summation

noun sum·ma·tion \ (ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shən \

medical Definition of summation

: cumulative action or effect; especially : the process by which a sequence of stimuli that are individually inadequate to produce a response are cumulatively able to induce a nerve impulse — see spatial summation, temporal summation