Accumulation

/əˌkjuːmjuˈleɪʃən/

nounIntermediate📊CommonProcess
1 meaning2 questions

Definitions

1

A collection or heap formed by gradual increase; the process of accumulating.

/əˌkjuːmjuˈleɪʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
Process

The process of gradually gathering or acquiring something.

The accumulation of dust on the shelves was remarkable.

💡 Simply: Things piling up over time.

More Examples

2

Over many years, he achieved a significant accumulation of wealth.

How It's Used

Finance

"The accumulation of debt led to financial hardship."

Science

"The accumulation of snow caused an avalanche."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

From Latin *accumulatio*, from *accumulare* "to heap up", from *ad-* "to" + *cumulus* "heap".

The word has been used in similar ways since the 16th century, emphasizing the gradual gathering of something.

Memory tip

Imagine a snowball rolling downhill, accumulating more snow as it goes.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to heap up"

Base: accumulate
accumulation of wealthaccumulation of evidenceaccumulation of snow

Common misspellings

acumulationacummulationacumullation

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written