growth

growth [ grouθ ] noun ***

▸ 1 a gain in number, etc.

▸ 2 economic increase

▸ 3 when living things grow

▸ 4 emotional development

▸ 5 something that grows

▸ 6 lump in/on living thing

1. ) singular or uncount an increase in the number, size, or importance of something:

growth in: a substantial growth in the number of entry-level jobs

growth of: the international growth of capitalism

period of growth: We are entering a period of rapid population growth.

rate of growth: The annual rate of growth was 12 percent.

2. ) singular or uncount an increase in the success of a business or a country's economy, or in the amount of money invested in them: EXPANSION:

The engineering sector achieved significant growth last year.

a market that has showed real growth

economic/industrial growth: measures designed to stimulate economic growth

a ) only before noun used for describing industries, activities, etc. that are growing quickly:

Computing remains a growth area.

3. ) singular or uncount an increase in the size or development of a living thing

a ) used about children and animals:

stunt (someone's) growth (=stop it from happening correctly): Doctors fear that these medicines may stunt your growth.

b ) used about plants and trees:

More air means better root growth.

c ) used about a part of your body, especially your hair or nails:

There is no evidence that the drug increases hair growth.

d ) used about bacteria, cells, or CRYSTALS:

Some hormones inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

4. ) uncount someone's emotional and spiritual development:

personal growth: ways to encourage our personal and spiritual growth

5. ) uncount something that grows or has recently grown, for example on a plant:

new growth: New growth will develop during the spring.

growth of: He had several weeks' growth of beard.

6. ) count a lump that grows inside or on a person, animal, or plant, caused by cells that have grown in a way that is not normal:

a cancerous growth