# totality

/toʊˈtæɫəti/ (US) · /təʊtˈælɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/totality
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the whole amount or the entire collection of something. In astronomy, it refers to the complete amount of light or energy coming from an object.

For teachers: the whole or entire amount of something; in an astronomical context, the total flux or luminosity of an object.

## Examples

- The telescope measures the total light from the distant galaxy.
- Astronomers calculated the total energy output of the supernova to understand its impact on the surrounding nebula.
- The study of the totality of cosmic microwave background radiation provides critical evidence for the early conditions of the universe following the Big Bang.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.