growth

noun

1
a(1)
: a stage in the process of growing : size
(2)
: full growth
b
: the process of growing
c
: progressive development : evolution
d
: increase, expansion
the growth of the oil industry
2
a
: something that grows or has grown
a growth of willows
b
: an abnormal proliferation of tissue (such as a tumor)
c
d
: the result of growth : product
Protestantism was a relatively recent growth.
3
: a producing especially by growing
fruits of his own growth
4
: anticipated progressive growth especially in capital value and income
some investors prefer growth to immediate income

Example Sentences

He had a growth spurt when he was 16 years old. She's concerned that the medication might slow her child's growth. He discovered a substance that promotes the growth of new blood vessels. The city has undergone explosive growth in recent years. He sees his college years as an opportunity for personal growth. It's important to prune the bush every year to encourage new growth. Their profits have averaged five percent growth in the last four years. The tree has an average annual growth of almost a foot. a thick growth of underbrush See More
Recent Examples on the Web The growth of Ripple Net coincides with the company’s recent transformation into a rallying point for the crypto industry after the SEC filed suit against it and two executives. Ben Weiss, Fortune Crypto, 17 May 2023 Following past resolutions, health care, consumer staples, technology and dividend growth have bounced back well, the data added. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 May 2023 After years of explosive growth during the pandemic, Home Depot’s revenue during the first quarter fell short of expectations and the company cut its profit and sales outlook for the year, sending shares skidding before the opening bell Tuesday. Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2023 This can help uncover patterns that reveal broad rules governing the birth and growth of planetary systems—as well as where those orderly rules break down. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 16 May 2023 The City Council chose the new city ward proposal with the most room for growth in the city's south and west during a special meeting Monday. Doug Thompson, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2023 Bob Chapek, the former Disney CEO who was abruptly ousted from the company last November, is among a group of executives facing a lawsuit claiming violations of securities law for allegedly providing misleading statements and omissions about Disney+ and its subscriber growth. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 15 May 2023 Zuckerberg endorsed artificial intelligence as a driving force behind Meta’s revenue growth last quarter, after nearly a year of dismal financial performance. Naomi Nix, Washington Post, 14 May 2023 Her bill banning the deals passed this month by 142 to 0. Ms. Morrin Bello and Mr. O’Dwyer said their regulatory moves were prompted by reporting by The New York Times last year on the explosive growth in sports betting in the United States, including marketing on college campuses. Kevin Draper, New York Times, 13 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'growth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

grow + -th entry 3

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of growth was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near growth

Cite this Entry

“Growth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growth. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

growth

noun
1
a
: stage or condition reached in growing : size
the dog hasn't reached full growth
b
: a process of growing especially through an increase in size or amount
a growth of wealth
good nutrition promotes growth
growth of a crystal
c
: a process of developing
the growth of civilization
2
: a result or product of growing
covered with a growth of mold
a thick growth of underbrush
3
: an abnormal mass of tissue (as a tumor or wart)

Medical Definition

growth

noun
1
a(1)
: a stage in the process of growing
(2)
: full growth
b
: the process of growing
2
a
: something that grows or has grown
b
: an abnormal proliferation of tissue (as a tumor)

More from Merriam-Webster on growth

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