Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

growth

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun American English pronunciation: growth /ɡroʊθ/ 
Word Forms
Close
singulargrowth
pluralgrowths
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [singular/uncountable] an increase in the number, size, or importance of something
    growth in:

    a substantial growth in the number of available 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
  2. 2
    [singular/uncountable] economics an increase in the success of a business or a country's economy, or in the amount of money invested in them

    The engineering sector achieved significant growth last year.

    a market that has showed real growth

    economic/industrial growth:

    measures designed to stimulate economic growth

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
    1. a.
      [only before noun] used for describing industries, activities, etc. that are growing quickly

      Computing remains a growth area.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
  3. 3
    [singular/uncountable] an increase in the size, number, or development of a living thing
    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
    1. a.
      used about children and animals
      stunt (someone's) growth (=stop it from happening correctly):

      Doctors fear that these medicines may stunt your growth.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
    2. b.
      used about plants and trees

      More air means better root growth.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
    3. c.
      used about a part of your body, especially your hair or nails

      There is no evidence that the drug increases hair growth.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
    4. d.
      used about bacteria, cells, or crystals

      Some hormones inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
  4. 4
    [uncountable] someone's emotional and spiritual development
    personal growth:

    ways to encourage our personal and spiritual growth

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
  5. 5
    [uncountable] 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth

This is the American English definition of growth. View British English definition of growth.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

charticle

a news article that consists of a chart … and only has a small amount of text

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

tweet

the short high sound that a small bird makes

Open Dictionary

never event

an event that should never occur in a healthcare setting …

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog