accrete

verb

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ac·crete | \ ə-ˈkrēt

accreted; accreting

Definition of accrete

intransitive verb

: to grow or become attached by accretion

transitive verb

: to cause to adhere or become attached also : accumulate

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About accrete

Examples of accrete in a Sentence

silt accreting at the mouth of the river over time

Recent Examples on the Web But to grow large, hail stones must be levitated for long periods of time high in the storm cloud, to accrete layer upon layer and this requires a vigorous cloud updraft. — Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 16 May 2022 The grains accrete material thanks to a process called chemical precipitation. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 12 May 2022 As cells age and divide, small errors accrete in their DNA. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 As cells age and divide, small errors accrete in their DNA. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 As cells age and divide, small errors accrete in their DNA. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 As cells age and divide, small errors accrete in their DNA. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 As cells age and divide, small errors accrete in their DNA. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 And while these simulations only examined the formation of gassy worlds, in reality those prototypical realms can accrete solid material too, perhaps becoming rocky realms instead. — Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accrete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.