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

Elevated oil prices, he argues, will weigh on U.S. growth prospects while stoking inflation concerns, keeping the Federal Reserve in “wait and see” mode in terms of delivering a rate cut.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

With less pressure to meet quarterly targets, companies could focus more on the investment, innovation and prudent risk-taking that help drive long-term growth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

The U.S. labor market bounced back last month with healthy job growth and a decline in unemployment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“The risk is that the longer the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz continues, the more this morphs into a perceived growth shock, limiting interest rate rises,” Oppenheimer wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“In the early stages of growth, before the appearance of the sporangia, the interrupted fern is easily confused with the cinnamon fern. Luckily, there are several ways the careful observer might tell them apart....”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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