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

The remarkable images — taken from Quebec, Canada, during the March 29, 2025, partial solar eclipse — reveal the sun's outer atmosphere — a feature typically visible only during the brief moments of totality during a total solar eclipse. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025

For endurance specifically, looking at the totality of evidence, Jones figures there’s a real effect. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 Apr. 2025

Ellie Friar/Instagram Based on the totality of the scene and suspicious circumstances relating to the missing persons, a MADIU — Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit —callout is initiated. —Megan Kelly Brown, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025

On April 8, 2024, a roughly 125-mile wide path of totality through northwest Mexico, the U.S.(from Texas through Maine) and southeast Canada was created by the moon’s shadow, which took 139 minutes to travel across Earth’s surface. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 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