totality

noun

to·​tal·​i·​ty tō-ˈta-lə-tē 

plural totalities

1

: an aggregate amount : sum, whole

2

a

: the quality or state of being total : wholeness

b

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

Synonyms

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

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

This shot was taken in Exmouth, Western Australia, which experienced 62 seconds of totality during a hybrid solar eclipse in April 2023. —Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2024

As the Moon crept across the sun, sweeping my family and myself into totality, everyone crowded around the GSO telescope to take their turn. —Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 29 May 2024

Witnessing that eclipse, even without totality, was bewitching. —Levi Mandel, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Apr. 2024

Tens of thousands of visitors flocked to Indianapolis to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, their eyes fixed on the skies in awe for the nearly four minutes of totality. —Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing totality

• in its/their totality

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