the sum of
idiom
1
: an amount of (money)
I paid the sum of $500.
2
: the result of (adding two or more numbers together)
The sum of 5 and 7 is 12
3
: all there is of : the whole amount of
Working odd summer jobs has been the sum of my experience so far.
Examples of the sum of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The group is more than the sum of its current number of fighters.
—
Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2024
Two or more professionals can amount to more than the sum of their parts.
—Big Think, 20 June 2024
But as with the best stories, the truth is more than the sum of its parts.
—Anna Washenko, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024
In contrast, the U.N. and Wittgenstein models are based on each country’s total fertility rate, or the sum of age-specific fertility rates, typically for those between the ages of 15 and 49, which is considered reproductive age.
—Daniel Clery, science.org, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the sum of 
Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2024
Two or more professionals can amount to more than the sum of their parts.
—Big Think, 20 June 2024
But as with the best stories, the truth is more than the sum of its parts.
—Anna Washenko, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024
In contrast, the U.N. and Wittgenstein models are based on each country’s total fertility rate, or the sum of age-specific fertility rates, typically for those between the ages of 15 and 49, which is considered reproductive age.
—Daniel Clery, science.org, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the sum of
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the sum of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“The sum of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20sum%20of. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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