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

That's within a few seconds of the maximum totality possible in the path of totality in Iceland, which encompasses the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes and the Reykjanes Peninsula, home to the country's capital, Reykjavík. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

That will be a scientific bonanza since full solar eclipses produce just a few minutes of totality when the moon lines up perfectly between Earth and the sun — on average just once every 18 months. —Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

Perhaps that's because photos of totality typically fail to do the majesty of the event justice. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 June 2025

One survey cannot encapsulate the totality of a club as huge as United, but the overall message from our respondents is clear: things need to improve. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 7 June 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