What is an Aggregate?
Aggregate is one of those words everyone knows – but rarely uses. So, we thought we’d put together this information sheet on aggregates just for you.
Cluster, Group, Material
For our purposes, aggregate is mostly used as either a noun or an adjective. For instance, Venice Hauling sells aggregates; a noun describing rocks, gravels, sands, shells, etc. This means aggregate is a collection of materials forming a whole. Road base is a great aggregate example. It is a whole, road base, that is formed of many different materials; lime stone, sand, calcium, shells, etc.
Aggregate Definition
ag·gre·gate
noun
ˈaɡriɡət/
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1.a whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements.“the council was an aggregate of three regional assemblies”
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2.a material or structure formed from a loosely compacted mass of fragments or particles.
synonyms: collection, mass, agglomeration, conglomerate, assemblage; More
adjective
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1.formed or calculated by the combination of many separate units or items; total.“the aggregate amount of grants made”
synonyms: total, combined, gross, overall, composite “an aggregate score”
verb
ˈaɡrəˌɡāt/
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1.form or group into a class or cluster.“the butterflies aggregate in dense groups”