Definition of "aggregate"

aggregate

/ˈæɡ.ɹɪ.ɡət/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural aggregates
1. A mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; something consisting of elements but considered as a whole.
  Quotations
  If the nebulosity were due to an aggregate of stars so far off as to be separately indistinguishable, then the central body would have to be a star of almost incomparably greater dimensions than an ordinary star; if, on the other hand, the central body were of dimensions comparable with those of an ordinary star, the nebulosity must be due to something other than a star cluster.
  1898, Arthur Berry, chapter 12, in A Short History of Astronomy, Herschel
2. A mass formed by the union of homogeneous particles; – in distinction from a compound, formed by the union of heterogeneous particles.
  Quotations
  This in the second boiling will be replaced by nearly an equal quantity of worts, of the same gravity as turned out of the copper, which, in making the calculation, is to be deducted from the aggregate of the second worts, and so on with a third wort if necessary.
  1847, William Black, A Practical Treatise on Brewing : Calculating Lengths and Gravities
3. (mathematics, obsolete) A set (collection of objects).
4. (music) The full chromatic scale of twelve equal tempered pitches.
5. (sports) The total score in a set of games between teams or competitors, usually the combination of the home and away scores.
  Quotations
  Brazil won the first series 2-0 on aggregate before Argentina got revenge in 2012 via a penalty shootout.
  12 December 2016, Associated Press, Brazil and Argentina reportedly to play friendly at MCG in 2017
6. (roofing) Crushed stone, crushed slag or water-worn gravel used for surfacing a built-up roof system.
7. Solid particles of low aspect ratio added to a composite material, as distinguished from the matrix and any fibers or reinforcements; especially the gravel and sand added to concrete.
  Quotations
  "Yes sair," returned the Frenchman, whose prominent eyes were watching the precarious footsteps of the beast he rode, as it picked its dangerous way among the roots of trees, holes, log bridges, and sloughs that formed the aggregate of the highway.
  1823, James Fenimore Cooper, chapter 21, in The Pioneers
  He explained that engineers had been able to examine the bridge visually, and had started surveying likely sites for access roads and where to place the heavyweight crawler crane. NR was also ordering the aggregates needed for the access roads.
  2020 August 26, “Network News: Mid-September before line reopens, says Network Rail”, in Rail, page 10
8. (Buddhism) Any of the five attributes that constitute the sentient being.
9. A mechanical mixture of more than one phase.
adjective
comparative more aggregate, superlative most aggregate
1. Formed by a collection of particulars into a whole mass or sum; collective; combined; added up.
  Quotations
  All over the country small British columns had been operating during these months--operations which were destined to increase in scope and energy as the cold weather drew in. The weekly tale of prisoners and captures, though small for any one column, gave the aggregate result of a considerable victory.
  1902, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Great Boer War Chapter 33 The Northern Operations from January to April, 1901
2. Consisting or formed of smaller objects or parts.
3. Formed into clusters or groups of lobules.
4. (botany) Composed of several florets within a common involucre, as in the daisy; or of several carpels formed from one flower, as in the raspberry.
5. Having the several component parts adherent to each other only to such a degree as to be separable by mechanical means.
6. United into a common organized mass; said of certain compound animals.
verb
third-person singular simple present aggregates, present participle aggregating, simple past and past participle aggregated
1. (transitive) To bring together; to collect into a mass or sum.
2. (archaic, transitive) To add or unite (e.g. a person), to an association.
3. (transitive) To amount in the aggregate to.