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 of totality

• total
• sum
• whole

Examples of totality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During totality, the sun would appear only about one-third of a fist-width above the horizon. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026

As the media huddled around his locker in Wrigley Field’s underground home clubhouse, Crow-Armstrong raised his eyes, chuckled and shook his head at the totality of the scene. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

This land of wide open spaces, ancient churches and castles, and vast sunflower fields, all baking under the blinding August Sun, seemed like the perfect location to enter the path of totality. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

But at no point will there be lunar totality—when the entire lunar surface falls under Earth’s shadow. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026

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