summation

noun

sum·ma·tion | \ (ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shən

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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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 on the Web

The summation of the sound: Just wait until the Iron Bowl, Gus! — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Gus Malzahn, thanks for the laughs," 11 Sep. 2019 The 2006 season was an apt summation of Brown’s Bears career. — Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 58, Mike Brown," 9 July 2019 One example stands out amongst many from last season as a perfect summation of what the Brazilian has brought to Liverpool. — SI.com, "Alisson: Why Liverpool & Brazil Wall Deserves to Be the First Keeper to Win Ballon d'Or in 56 Years," 8 Sep. 2019 In Tuesday’s nine innings could be seen a painful summation of the Padres nosedive in 2019. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Orioles come back to take one from Padres," 30 July 2019 In confronting the looming horror of the Civil War, many Americans found a fuller summation of their hopes and fears in Spiritualism than in something more sober. — Ed Simon, The New Republic, "Marianne Williamson’s Spiritualism Has Deep, Liberal Roots," 7 Aug. 2019 Life is the summation of experience, both good and bad, and in A Dream About Lightning Bugs, Folds doesn’t hold back about the wrong turns, stumbles and falls that brought him here. — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "A Musical Memoir: Ben Folds Shares 10 Songs That Shaped His Life," 6 Aug. 2019 To say this was a reductive summation of both of their work is an understatement. — Soraya Roberts, Longreads, "This (Wo)Man’s Work," 19 July 2019 In summation, the book falsely asserts the massacre was orchestrated by the government as a way to promote gun violence prevention measures. — Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, "Dad of Boy Killed in Sandy Hook Shooting Wins Defamation Suit Against Hoaxers," 19 June 2019

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.

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Last Updated

10 Oct 2019

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Time Traveler for summation

The first known use of summation was in 1760

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More Definitions for summation

summation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of summation

formal : a brief description of the most important information about something

US, law : a final speech made by a lawyer in a court of law to give a summary of the main arguments in a case

See the full definition for summation in the English Language Learners 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