verb (used with object), ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, ac·cu·mu·lat·ing.
- to gather or collect, often in gradual degrees; heap up: to accumulate wealth.
verb (used without object), ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, ac·cu·mu·lat·ing.
- to gather into a heap, mass, cover, etc.; form a steadily increasing quantity: Snow accumulated in the driveway. His debts kept on accumulating.
verb
- to gather or become gathered together in an increasing quantity; amass; collect
1520s, from Latin accumulatus, past participle of accumulare “to heap up” (see accumulation). Related: Accumulated; accumulating.