1
: the act or process of forming a sum : addition
2
: sum, total
3
: cumulative action or effect
especially : the process by which a sequence of stimuli that are individually inadequate to produce a response are cumulatively able to induce a nerve impulse
4
: a final part of an argument reviewing points made and expressing conclusions

Examples of summation in a Sentence

A summation can be found at the end of the report. We gave a summation of our discovery. The defense attorneys and prosecutors are set to make their final summations today.
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.
The 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, in fact, seemed like a perfect summation of the season: There were too many mistakes, too many penalties and too many injuries to win. Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024 Three bystanders told Penny to stop applying a chokehold on Neely but Penny did not listen, a prosecutor said during summations. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 2 Dec. 2024 That’s more or less the perfect summation, the perfect comment on the comment. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 The policies being trained here were far more complex—a summation of all the operators’ successful runs. James Somers, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for summation 

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of summation was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near summation

Cite this Entry

“Summation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summation. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: the act or process of forming a sum : addition
2
3
: a final part of an argument reviewing points made and expressing conclusions

Medical Definition

: cumulative action or effect
especially : the process by which a sequence of stimuli that are individually inadequate to produce a response are cumulatively able to induce a nerve impulse see spatial summation, temporal summation

Legal Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on summation

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