accumulation

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tion ə-ˌkyü-m(y)ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: something that has accumulated or has been accumulated

an impressive accumulation of knowledge

2

: the action or process of accumulating something : the state of being or having accumulated

the steady accumulation of snow

3

: increase or growth by addition especially when continuous or repeated

accumulation of interest

Synonyms

• accretion
• assemblage
• collection
• cumulation
• cumulus
• gathering
• lodgment
• lodgement
• pileup

Examples of accumulation in a Sentence

a vast accumulation of evidence about the dangers of smoking

the accumulation of leaves on the ground is proceeding at a much faster rate than my raking

Recent Examples on the Web

Total snow accumulations in Denver and Boulder are expected between 3 to 6 inches. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2024

Activity from fast-twitch muscles lasting longer than 30 seconds results in lactic acid accumulation. —Tiffany Ayuda, Health, 13 Apr. 2024

While Milwaukee and Port Washington saw under an inch of accumulation, Madison saw 5-6 inches and Waupun had 7-8 inches. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024

Various locations were not clean during the inspections such as a refrigerator door handle with food grime, and heavy dust and mold accumulation on a walk-in cooler fan guard. —Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

Routine workouts will also maintain high energy expenditure, which minimizes the risk of fat accumulation in the body. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

This approach can help prevent further debt accumulation. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

March Madness bobbleheads Why the case against Jesse Wilson's mother was dismissed after his disappearance and death On Easter, snow is forecasted to be heavy at times with new snow accumulation of 2-4 inches possible. —Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024

Snowflakes mixing with scattered rain may linger through the morning, with light to no accumulation possible primarily on metal and grassy surfaces. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French accumulacion, borrowed from Latin accumulātiōn-, accumulātiō, from accumulāre "to accumulate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accumulation

• point of accumulation

Kids Definition

accumulation

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tion ə-ˌkyü-myə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: a collecting together : amassing

2

: increase or growth by addition

3

: something accumulated : collection

Legal Definition

accumulation

noun

ac·​cu·​mu·​la·​tion

: increase or growth by addition especially when continuous or repeated

specifically : an increase in the amount of a fund or property by the continuous addition to it of the income or interest it generates

to treat a stock dividend as principal when local law classifies it as income may be deemed an accumulation

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

see also accumulation trust at trust

Note: Because they prevent the enjoyment and benefit of wealth, accumulations are deemed contrary to public policy. A provision in a will for an accumulation will be invalidated if found to be unreasonable by the court.