summation
noun
sum·ma·tion
(ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shən 
1
: the act or process of forming a sum : addition
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
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 text of the article is a reasonable summation of her career, beginning with the present (Wifey is a smash, in its third printing, paperback rights sold for $350,000) and looking back at her beginnings (the NYU writing class, early rejection letters).
—
Mark Oppenheimer, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Dearing, in his final summation, said the Hobart City Council rushed their vote approving the data center ERA designation.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Sensing there are stretches that require at least a modicum of steering, Brettkelly gets one or two of the older guys to do somewhat jarring off-camera narration/summation, in which the speaker is identified in subtitles in some instances and not others.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
Playing a thinly disguised version of himself, Reynolds is, as Schneeberger and Neibaur point out, funny, exasperating, and moving, and Rifkin’s impeccable tailoring of the role to fit his star gives Reynolds a wonderful summation with which to end his career.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for summation
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Mark Oppenheimer, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Dearing, in his final summation, said the Hobart City Council rushed their vote approving the data center ERA designation.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Sensing there are stretches that require at least a modicum of steering, Brettkelly gets one or two of the older guys to do somewhat jarring off-camera narration/summation, in which the speaker is identified in subtitles in some instances and not others.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
Playing a thinly disguised version of himself, Reynolds is, as Schneeberger and Neibaur point out, funny, exasperating, and moving, and Rifkin’s impeccable tailoring of the role to fit his star gives Reynolds a wonderful summation with which to end his career.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for summation
Cite this Entry
“Summation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summation. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
summation
noun
sum·ma·tion
(ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shən
1
: the act or process of forming a sum : addition
2
3
: a final part of an argument reviewing points made and expressing conclusions
Medical Definition
summation
noun
sum·ma·tion
(ˌ)sə-ˈmā-shən
: 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
Legal Definition
summation
noun
sum·ma·tion
sə-ˈmā-shən
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