summable

[suhm-uh-buhl]

adjective

Mathematics.

1. capable of being added.

2. (of an infinite series, especially a divergent one) capable of having a sum assigned to it by a method other than the usual one of taking the limit of successive partial sums.

3. (of a function) possessing a finite Lebesgue integral.

Other Word Forms

• summability noun
• unsummable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of summable¹

First recorded in 1775–85; sum + -able

Example Sentences

The conventional election method that we’re all familiar with, plurality voting, has as one really nice property: It’s what we call a summable voting system.

From Slate

China’s leaders universally acknowledge that economic, trade, and investment relations with Japan–summable in the word and in the form of  “technology”–have been vitally important to China’s development, and will continue as such.

From Forbes