B2verbscienceenvironment
US/əˈkjuː.mjə.leɪt/
UK/əˈkjuː.mjʊ.leɪt/
to slowly increase in amount, or to collect more and more of something over time
In context
Plastic waste accumulates on the beaches after every storm.
Dust had accumulated on the old fan above the bed.
Heavy metals can accumulate in fish that live in polluted rivers.
Words that go with accumulate
adverb + verb
- gradually accumulatePollutants gradually accumulate in the soil near the factory.
verb + preposition
- accumulate inToxins accumulate in the liver if you drink too much alcohol.
verb + noun
- accumulate dataThe satellite has accumulated data on sea temperatures for twenty years.
- accumulate evidenceResearchers have accumulated evidence that microplastics harm sea life.
verb + adverb
- accumulate rapidlySnow accumulated rapidly on the mountain pass overnight.