aggregate
AG-rih-gut
/ˈæɡrɪɡət/ (noun/adj), /ˈæɡrɪɡeɪt/ (verb)
A whole formed by combining several separate elements; to collect or gather into a mass.
Emphasizes the combination of individual micro-level data points into a single macro-level summary figure.
The story behind the word. berasal dari Latin 'aggregare', meaning to bring into a herd or flock. In modern science, it moved from herding sheep to combining numbers.
Word relationships
- total: 'Total' is common and simple; 'aggregate' suggests a structured combination of distinct parts.
- composite: 'Composite' stresses the mixture of diverse parts rather than the numerical total.
- individual: Refers to a single item rather than a combined total.
- disaggregated: Refers to data split back into constituent elements.
Commonly confused with
- segregate: Aggregate means to bring together; segregate means to isolate or separate.
Word family
- aggregation (noun): The formation of a number of things into a cluster.
Collocations
- aggregate data
- in the aggregate
- aggregate demand
- aggregate score
Idioms & expressions
- in the aggregate
Example sentences
- "The agency publishes aggregate income statistics to protect individual privacy." Data analysis
- "Aggregate demand across urban centers dropped sharply during the third quarter." Economic synthesis
Memory hook
ADD to the GREGarious herd = AGGREGATE. Flock into one total.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to itemized, uncombined individual entries.
Fun facts
- In construction, 'aggregate' refers to coarse materials like sand and gravel bound together in concrete.
Related words
Explore more words
utilitarian, utilitarianism, aggregation, Marginal, amalgamate, amalgamation
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