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

• total
• sum
• whole

Examples of totality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pikes Peak, Colorado: 5 minutes 10 seconds of totality. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 3 minutes 12 seconds of totality. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

With only three episodes to go, fans will soon be able to evaluate Resident Alien in totality for themselves. —Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 25 July 2025

This will be a total solar eclipse with an extraordinarily long totality, but only for those in one specific place. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Taken in their totality — State Farm’s sudden, massive rate hike, the lack of transparency and the ongoing lobbying to avoid scrutiny — these events lead us to believe that State Farm may not be basing its rates on the actual data here in Illinois. —Jb Pritzker, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 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