proliferation

American  

[pruh-lif-uh-rey-shuhn] / prəˌlɪf əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the growth or production of cells by multiplication of parts.

2. a rapid and often excessive spread or increase.

   nuclear proliferation.

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Etymology

Origin of proliferation

First recorded in 1855–60; proliferate + -ion

Example Sentences

We rightly fear nuclear proliferation, and yet “amazing grace and good fortune,” and admirable postwar statecraft, “actually bent the arc of history.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For all the challenges facing the Hollywood economy, the recent proliferation of new players in the awards race brings with it the hope and optimism of a new campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

The Crown Prince has spoken before about pursuing nuclear weapons, and the regional proliferation risk from civilian enrichment would be significant.

From The Wall Street Journal

But with the advent of legal sports betting—and the proliferation of apps that make it easy to place wagers instantaneously on a smartphone—the prop bet became something else.

From The Wall Street Journal

We were heartened to find that this mail-order boom is providing a proliferation of excellent options just as time-stressed home cooks are looking to lighten the holiday-hosting load, or outsource it entirely.

From The Wall Street Journal