aggregate

The total number or amount after all parts are added together.

• The aggregate was fifty points.
• Our team won on aggregate over two matches.
• The payments reached an aggregate of six thousand pounds.

How to use it: an aggregate of something (The farms produced an aggregate of two hundred tonnes.); in aggregate (The stores made a profit in aggregate.)

Similar words: total, sum

Common phrases: in aggregate, an aggregate of, on aggregate

Small pieces of stone used in concrete or to cover roofs and other surfaces.

• Add the aggregate to the mix.
• The roof was covered with coarse aggregate.
• Workers delivered a truckload of crushed aggregate.

Similar words: gravel

Common phrases: coarse aggregate, crushed aggregate, aggregate for concrete

A solid group formed when small pieces of the same material join together.

• The crystals formed an aggregate.
• Under the microscope, each aggregate contained many tiny grains.
• These mineral aggregates broke apart easily.

How to use it: aggregate of something (An aggregate of crystals filled the crack.)

Similar words: cluster, mass

Common phrases: crystal aggregate, mineral aggregate, aggregate of particles

One of five groups of qualities that Buddhism uses to describe a living, feeling being.

• Buddhism describes five aggregates.
• The teacher explained the aggregate of feeling.
• Attachment to the aggregates is discussed in this text.

Similar words: skandha

Common phrases: five aggregates, aggregate of consciousness, aggregate of feeling

To collect things and combine them into a group or total.

• We aggregate the results each week.
• The software aggregated data from several hospitals.
• These particles aggregate into larger groups.

How to use it: aggregate something into something (We aggregate the figures into a single total.); aggregate into something (Small particles aggregate into clusters.)

Similar words: combine, collect, group

Opposites: separate

Common phrases: aggregate data, aggregate something into, aggregate results

To add up to a particular total.

• The payments aggregate two million dollars.
• Their combined sales aggregated fifty thousand units.
• The three shipments aggregate eighty tonnes.

How to use it: aggregate an amount (The fees aggregate three thousand dollars.)

Similar words: total, amount to

Common phrases: aggregate something, aggregate ten million

Arranged in groups of small rounded parts.

• The tissue contains aggregate glands.
• The diagram shows an aggregate structure.
• These aggregate glands consist of several small lobules.

Similar words: clustered, grouped

Common phrases: aggregate glands, aggregate structure