accumulation
Americannoun
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act or state of accumulating; state of being accumulated.
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that which is accumulated; an accumulated amount, number, or mass.
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growth by continuous additions, as of interest to principal.
noun
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the act or process of collecting together or becoming collected
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something that has been collected, gathered, heaped, etc
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finance
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the continuous growth of capital by retention of interest or earnings
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(in computing the yield on a bond purchased at a discount) the amount that is added to each yield to bring the cost of the bond into equality with its par value over its life Compare amortization
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the taking of a first and an advanced university degree simultaneously
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of accumulation
First recorded in 1480–90, accumulation is from the Latin word accumulātiōn- (stem of accumulātiō ). See accumulate, -ion
Explanation
An accumulation is a gathering or increase of something over time. You might cross your fingers in hopes of a large accumulation of snow, so that you get a day off of school. Accumulation comes from a Latin word meaning "to heap up." The word continues to have this feeling of something growing upwards on top of itself, as if in a heap. If you keep putting money in the bank, the amount you have is the accumulation of your savings. If it is an interest bearing account, the interest will accumulate, making the total even larger.
Vocabulary lists containing accumulation
Blizzard! Words to Learn on a Snow Day
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The Water Cycle - Introductory
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Earth Science - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Seeing the accumulation of other people’s innermost desires in the trees — and given that the wishes are uncovered — lends the work an openness and accessibility that can be therapeutic, Loyer said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
With increasing use of HFOs, accumulation of TFA in water bodies will potentially grow and this makes long-term monitoring a necessity.
From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026
The recent pullback in technology stocks appears to be an attractive accumulation opportunity, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Many younger adults can no longer afford to make a purchase, eliminating a historical pathway to wealth accumulation and financial stability.
From Barron's • May 31, 2026
The sum in the drawer is piling up but at the present rate of accumulation will be more than $100 short of my rent when the end of the month comes around.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
