totality

noun

to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈta-lə-tē 

plural totalities

1

: an aggregate amount : sum, whole

the totality of human knowledge

2

a

: the quality or state of being total : wholeness

This … looks at the problem globally, in its totality.

—Philip Landrigan, quoted at NPR.org

b

: the phase of an eclipse during which it is total : the state of total eclipse

Synonyms

• aggregate
• full
• sum
• sum total
• summation
• total
• whole

Examples of totality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

March 2025 marked the brand’s best month compared to the totality of 2024. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Mar. 2025

The Fed is going to wait and see how the totality of Trump’s policies impact the economy before adjusting interest rates. —Rohit Arora, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

In totality, there’s very little that’s been typical about the past five months in Lawrence, the home of a program that for two decades resembled Dr. Jekyll but this year decided to split custody with Mr. Hyde. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025

Mario Tama / Getty Images Many in the U.S. outside of the path of totality saw a partial solar eclipse, when the moon covers part of the sun. —Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing totality

• in its/their totality

Rhymes for totality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

Kids Definition

totality

noun

to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural totalities

1

: a combined amount : sum, whole

2

: the quality or state of being total : entirety

rejected the scheme in its totality