accumulate
verb (used with object)
to gather or collect, often in gradual degrees; heap up.
were accumulating
-
past progressiveof accumulate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The results were clear, the seedlings were accumulating the labelled carbon, indicating they were being supported by the adult plants.
From Science Daily ● May 29, 2024
The division said heavy coatings of black ash were causing leaves to droop in palm oil plantations near the volcano and were accumulating on roofs.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 20, 2023
In effect, as the researchers recorded the state of the system at different instants, they were accumulating high-dimensional data points.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 26, 2022
The IMF expects China's economy to grow 8.0% this year and 5.6% next year, though the statement said downside risks to the forecasts were "accumulating."
From Reuters ● Nov. 19, 2021
Shadows were accumulating on his arms as he spun.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
