the sum of
idiom
1
: an amount of (money)
I paid the sum of $500.
2
: the result of (adding two or more numbers together)
The sum of 5 and 7 is 12
3
: all there is of : the whole amount of
Working odd summer jobs has been the sum of my experience so far.
Examples of the sum of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tim Kawahara, the executive director of UCLA’s Ziman Center of Real Estate, which has released reports on the rebuilding process, said the sum of those trends is hurting rebuilding efforts.
—
Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Amid this landscape, homeowners may find themselves in need of extra financing, potentially even in the sum of $100,000.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
With a simple oversized button-down, scarf, belt, and pair of black jeans, this monochromatic ensemble is far greater than the sum of its parts.
—Samantha Sutton, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026
None of these players are enough to move the needle on their own — unless the Bulls are attempting a third consecutive player-for-player trade — but there are many combinations that could ultimately provide a much greater value as the sum of their parts.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the sum of
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Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Amid this landscape, homeowners may find themselves in need of extra financing, potentially even in the sum of $100,000.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
With a simple oversized button-down, scarf, belt, and pair of black jeans, this monochromatic ensemble is far greater than the sum of its parts.
—Samantha Sutton, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026
None of these players are enough to move the needle on their own — unless the Bulls are attempting a third consecutive player-for-player trade — but there are many combinations that could ultimately provide a much greater value as the sum of their parts.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the sum of
Cite this Entry
“The sum of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20sum%20of. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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