accumulate

verb

ac·​cu·​mu·​late ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce accumulate (audio)
accumulated; accumulating
Synonyms of accumulate

transitive verb

: to gather or pile up especially little by little : amass
accumulate a fortune

intransitive verb

: to increase gradually in quantity or number
snow accumulating to a depth of several feet

Synonyms of accumulate

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Examples of accumulate in a Sentence

Evidence of his guilt is accumulating. the number of complaints about that mail order firm is really accumulating
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 Blue Dragon win and the Poland screening suggest the show’s impact is still accumulating. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 The former Louisville standout was heavily peppered Friday night, accumulating five targets in Miami’s first three drives. — Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 But at some point, continually accumulating more can become an incomplete vision of success. — True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 As someone who played in the NFL for 10 seasons, which covered 133 regular season games, Marshall Newhouse accumulated more hits than could be recorded. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accumulate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin accumulātus, past participle of accumulāre "to heap up, add to, increase," from ad- ad- + cumulāre "to gather into a heap" — more at cumulate

Note: In part a Latinization of Middle French accumuler.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of accumulate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for accumulate

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Browse Nearby Words

accumulable
accumulate
accumulated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accumulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accumulate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

accumulate

verb
ac·​cu·​mu·​late ə-ˈkyü-myə-ˌlāt How to pronounce accumulate (audio)
accumulated; accumulating
1
: to gather or pile up especially little by little : amass
accumulate a fortune
2
: to increase in quantity, number, or amount
rubbish accumulates quickly

Legal Definition

accumulate

verb
ac·​cu·​mu·​late
accumulated; accumulating

transitive verb

: to gather especially little by little
specifically : to add (income from a fund) back into the principal

intransitive verb

: to increase gradually in amount or number
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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