growth

American  

[grohth] / groʊθ /

noun

1. the act or process, or a manner of growing; growing; development; gradual increase.

   Synonyms:

   expansion, augmentation

   Antonyms:

   decrease, decline

2. size or stage of development.

   It hasn't yet reached its full growth.

3. completed development.

4. development from a simpler to a more complex stage.

   the growth of ritual forms.

5. development from another but related form or stage.

   the growth of the nation state.

6. something that has grown grown or developed by or as if by a natural process.

   a growth of stubborn weeds.

   Synonyms:

   outgrowth, result

7. Pathology. an abnormal increase in a mass of tissue, as a tumor.

   Synonyms:

   excrescence

8. origin; source; production.

   onions of English growth.

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adjective

1. of or denoting a business, industry, or equity security that grows or is expected to grow in value over a long period of time.

   a growth industry; a growth stock.

growth British  

/ ɡrəʊθ /

noun

1. the process or act of growing, esp in organisms following assimilation of food

2. an increase in size, number, significance, etc

3. something grown or growing

   a new growth of hair

4. a stage of development

5. any abnormal tissue, such as a tumour

6. (modifier) of, relating to, causing or characterized by growth

   a growth industry

   growth hormone

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growth Scientific  

/ grōth /

1. An increase in the size of an organism or part of an organism, usually as a result of an increase in the number of cells. Growth of an organism may stop at maturity, as in the case of humans and other mammals, or it may continue throughout life, as in many plants. In humans, certain body parts, like hair and nails, continue to grow throughout life.

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Other Word Forms

• antigrowth adjective
• pregrowth noun
• regrowth noun
• supergrowth noun

Etymology

Origin of growth

First recorded in 1550–60; grow, -th ¹; probably cognate with Old Norse grōthr

Example Sentences

A private gauge of China’s services activity pulled back from a near three-year high in March, signaling continued but slower growth as the war in the Middle East raises external risks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The U.S. technology giant said Friday that the investment plan is aimed at helping advance Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s goal of improving the nation’s economic security and promoting growth investments in advanced technologies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Even if the conflict were to end within two to three weeks, U.S. economic growth won’t quickly bounce back to its prewar path.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

This marks an acceleration from 48% growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 and is well above the Street’s call for 50% growth.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The scientists in 1980 measured the growth of the bulge over time from the Timberline and Coldwater II sites; scientists today are doing the same but collecting the information via satellites from space.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• advance
• advancement
• expansion
• gain
• hike
• improvement
• increase
• production
• prosperity
• rise
• success
• surge