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
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
Avoid the gradual accumulation of clutter in your home by developing awareness and establishing good habits.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Plus additional snow accumulations of around 2 to 4 inches—and up to 6 inches in extreme eastern mountain areas—are expected across the Big Hole Mountains, Centennial Mountains, Bear River Range, and Caribou Range until Monday afternoon, with winds as high as 40mph.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The map also includes tornado reports for the past week and recent rainfall accumulations.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
By engineering support layer architecture, thin-film nanocomposite membranes counteract internal concentration polarization and salt accumulation within the membrane’s porous structure, reducing the driving force for water flow.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accumulation
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Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Plus additional snow accumulations of around 2 to 4 inches—and up to 6 inches in extreme eastern mountain areas—are expected across the Big Hole Mountains, Centennial Mountains, Bear River Range, and Caribou Range until Monday afternoon, with winds as high as 40mph.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The map also includes tornado reports for the past week and recent rainfall accumulations.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
By engineering support layer architecture, thin-film nanocomposite membranes counteract internal concentration polarization and salt accumulation within the membrane’s porous structure, reducing the driving force for water flow.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accumulation
Cite this Entry
“Accumulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accumulation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al. 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.
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