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.

---

Etymology

Origin of proliferation

First recorded in 1855–60; proliferate + -ion

Example Sentences

Syria is a fragile state emerging from civil war; the proliferation of armed minority forces risks deepening fragmentation.

From The Wall Street Journal

The proliferation of prediction markets has raised concerns about users making trades using inside information and manipulating markets to score windfalls.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, the proliferation of funds that look more like a gamble than a diversified investment are drawing scrutiny from traditional players in the industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Boise is a prime example of the proliferation of homes listed for $1 million or more, but it isn’t alone.

From Barron's

He watched the proliferation of internet companies in Silicon Valley at the turn of the century, thinking about how he could take a successful American business model and launch it in China.

From The Wall Street Journal