1
: an indefinite or specified amount of money
2
: the whole amount : aggregate
3
: the utmost degree : summit
reached the sum of human happiness
4
5
a(1)
: the result of adding numbers
the sum of 5 and 7 is 12
(2)
: the limit of the sum of the first n terms of an infinite series as n increases indefinitely
b
: numbers to be added
broadly
: a problem in arithmetic
c(1)
(2)
Synonyms
Examples of sum in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Verb
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
Reia Li, Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024
Told after the Tour Championship that his seven PGA Tour wins were the most since Tiger Woods in 2007, Scheffler tried to sum it all up.
—Jenna West, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
But Netflix and other streaming services have been paying out hefty, sometimes record-setting sums to air live sporting events as the company seeks to earn more revenue from commercials and draw more viewers.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sum 
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Verb
The scores were then summed to find the top 30 cities that maximize both safety and wealth, as long as at least a quarter of the city's population is age 65 or older.
—Reia Li, Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024
Told after the Tour Championship that his seven PGA Tour wins were the most since Tiger Woods in 2007, Scheffler tried to sum it all up.
—Jenna West, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
In January 2022, Wardle sold Wordle to The New York Times for an undisclosed seven-figure sum, though the game remained free to play.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
But Netflix and other streaming services have been paying out hefty, sometimes record-setting sums to air live sporting events as the company seeks to earn more revenue from commercials and draw more viewers.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sum
Dictionary Entries Near sum
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sum. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sum
1 of 2 noun1
: an indefinite or specified amount of money
2
: the whole amount
the sum of your experience
3
a
: a summary of the chief points or thoughts
b
: the main point
the sum and substance of an argument
4
a
: the result of adding numbers
the sum of 5 and 7 is 12
b
: a problem in arithmetic
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