Adjective
a total lack of support
a total eclipse of the sun
He demanded total control of the project.
What was the total amount of the bill?
the total number of words
The country has a total population of about 100 million. Noun
a total of 25 square miles
that's the total for our wheat harvest this year Verb
He carefully totaled the bill.
two and two total four
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that the total amount of federal relief measures taken after the COVID-19 pandemic—much of which was Former President Biden’s policies— amounted to $5 trillion, resulting in deficits not seen outside of wartime.—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025 In Sunday's Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers, Brady's unit amassed 410 yards of total offense and scored 40 points.—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Anthony Orion Dalton, 17, was sentenced on October 8 to a total of 9 years in prison, with 4 years suspended, after he was found in possession of a firearm on campus in April, according to an October 9 press release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025 If the stars align, Scheifele will pass Hawerchuk’s points total on the outdoor ice at Princess Auto Stadium next season, where Hawerchuk put on a show at the 2016 Heritage Classic against Edmonton.—Murat Ates, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
It was built in 1947 and the living area totals 1,632 square feet.—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025 In fact, this team has totaled 34 more points through eight games than the 2023 version scored in 14.—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Collecting three weeks total atop the Billboard 200, Eternal Sunshine got a second life earlier this year with a deluxe edition released a few months after the November premiere of Wicked.—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2025 Hot 100 and 45 weeks total on the chart.—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for total
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin totalis, from Latin totus whole, entire
Share