The "Total Stock Market" refers to a comprehensive representation of all publicly traded companies in a specific market, typically within a country. It includes large, mid, and small-cap stocks, providing investors with a broad view of the overall market performance. This approach allows for diversification, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual stocks. Investors often use index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the Total Stock Market Index to gain exposure to the entire market. This strategy can be beneficial for those looking to invest in a wide array of companies without having to select individual stocks.