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

Lee also snapped a wide-angle shot of the moon as direct sunlight illuminated a thin crescent of its outer disk, mere minutes before the onset of totality, as the Beijing skyline stretched out below, pouring light into the night sky. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026

According to Time and Date, the overall duration will be 5 hours and 39 minutes but the duration of totality will be 58 minutes. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Mar. 2026

The entire eclipse will last 5 hours, 39 minutes, while totality will last 58 minutes. —Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026

The day of the eclipse the ship will stop in the band of totality off the southern coast of Spain, with guests invited to take in the awe-inspiring event from the top deck. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 23 Feb. 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