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growth

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noun British English pronunciation: growth /ɡrəʊθ/ 
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singulargrowth
pluralgrowths
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  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 per cent.

    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

    a market which has shown real growth

    The engineering sector achieved significant growth last year.

    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] something that grows or has recently grown, for example on a plant
    growth of:

    He had several weeks' growth of beard.

    new growth:

    New growth will develop during spring.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth
  6. 6
    [uncountable] someone's emotional and spiritual development
    personal growth:

    ways to encourage our personal and spiritual growth

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of growth

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

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View the pronunciation for growth.

 

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