proliferation
Americannoun
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the growth or production of cells by multiplication of parts.
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a rapid and often excessive spread or increase.
nuclear proliferation.
noun
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rapid growth or reproduction of new parts, cells, etc
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rapid growth or increase in numbers
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a great number
done up in a proliferation of fancy frills
Etymology
Origin of proliferation
First recorded in 1855–60; proliferate + -ion
Explanation
Proliferation is a rapid multiplication of parts or the increase in the number of something. Nuclear proliferation is a rapid increase of nuclear weapons. The proliferation of any living thing will often create an overpopulation problem and cause an environmental imbalance. A proliferation of fuzzy koala bears might seem kind of nice, but these cute little creatures would soon eat up all the eucalyptus, running out of food and causing problems for other species. We almost always use this word to describe stuff we don't want to increase rapidly. The excessive proliferation of mutated cells, for instance, is how cancer grows.
Vocabulary lists containing proliferation
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
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Vocabulary from the Vice-Presidential Debate, October 4, 2016
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Into Thin Air
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the December 5, 2025, print edition as 'Bad Ukraine Deal Could Spur Nuclear Proliferation'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025
Per its international agreements, the United States has notified Russia and the more than 140 nations that are members of the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation of the planned launch.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2025
He listed only three such bodies: NATO, the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, the bank messaging service known as Swift.
From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2018
But Mr Bolton was praised for his work establishing the Proliferation Security Initiative, an international agreement to prohibit fissile material shipments.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2018
Proliferation of tubers is sometimes seen in Potatoes still attached to the parent plant in wet weather following a drought.
From Disease in Plants by Ward, H. Marshall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
