totality

noun

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to·tal·i·ty | \ tō-ˈta-lə-tē

plural totalities

Definition of totality

1 : an aggregate amount : sum, whole

2a : the quality or state of being total : wholeness

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

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Examples of totality in a Sentence

the totality of human knowledge the totality of the stars in the universe can only be loosely guessed at

Recent Examples on the Web Looking at the totality of drug seizures by the Drug Enforcement Agency thus far in fiscal year 2021, fentanyl appears to account for only a small share — about 1% in the San Francisco field division. — Yoohyun Jung, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 May 2021 That’s why red dominates on the light reaching the Moon’s surface during totality. — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 May 2021 Orlandoans only got to see part of the eclipse, but those in the Western U.S., Australia and parts of Asia witnessed the eclipse’s totality. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, 26 May 2021 The only light on the moon during totality will be sunlight that's first traveled through Earth's atmosphere, which is a reddish-orange color. — Jamie Carter, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2021 Instead, the game reflects back a canvas as empty as the totality of his existence. — Washington Post, 14 May 2021 Jurors were told to weigh what a reasonable police officer would have known at the exact moment the force was used, and whether the actions were reasonable given the totality of the circumstances. — Erin Donaghue, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2021 Nelson implored the jurors to look at the totality of the evidence. — Dallas News, 20 Apr. 2021 To find out when totality occurs in different parts of the world, check out our solar eclipse reference page. — Calla Cofield, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'totality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.