1
: complete or absolute
total [=utter, sheer] chaos/destruction/ruin
total darkness/freedom
It's a total loss.
a total lack of support/sympathy/understanding
a total eclipse of the sun
He demanded total control of/over the project.
a total stranger
2
: after everything or everyone is counted
What was the total amount of the bill?
the total annual budget/cost/sales
the total number of words
The country has a total population of about 100 million.
plural totals
: the number or amount of everything counted : sum
The total is 64.
a total of 25 square miles
totals; US totaled or British totalled; US totaling or British totalling
1
a
: to produce (a total) when added together
Donations totaled $120.
b
: to add numbers together to find out the total
He carefully totaled the bill.
—often + upHe totaled up the bill.
2
US
: to damage (something, such as a car) so badly that it is not worth repairing
He totaled the car.
Cite this Entry
“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/total. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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