totality

American  

[toh-tal-i-tee] / toʊˈtæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

totalities

1. something that is total or constitutes a total; the total amount; a whole.

2. the state of being total; entirety.

3. Astronomy. total obscuration in an eclipse.

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totality British  

/ təʊˈtælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the whole amount

2. the state of being total

3. the state or period of an eclipse when light from the eclipsed body is totally obscured

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Etymology

Origin of totality

First recorded in 1590–1600; total + -ity

Example Sentences

“We believe the totality and durability of our data warrant continued substantive dialogue,” CEO Matt Kapusta said of the therapy.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Connor: In assessing the reasonableness of an officer’s use of force, one must consider the totality of circumstances.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026

Witness accounts, background information about Ross and Good and details about what else was going on that morning will help them examine what Piehota called the "totality" of the circumstances.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

The path of totality of the Aug. 12 solar eclipse will sweep across much of Spain, but Basque Country, in the north, is our pick for sparser crowds and plenty to do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

Taken individually, none of the twenty-five Norte Chico cities rivaled Sumer’s cities in size, but the totality was bigger than Sumer.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann