proliferation
/prəlɪfəˈreɪʃn
/noun [mass noun]
1Rapid increase in the number or amount of something: a continuing threat of nuclear proliferation...
- The threat of nuclear proliferation will abate as dangerous stockpiles of atomic weapons are quickly used up.
- He wants to stop nuclear proliferation with more nuclear proliferation.
- Meanwhile, proliferation was increasing the danger of nuclear terrorism.
1.1Rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism: we attempted to measure cell proliferation...
- Multicellular organisms grow through both proliferation and growth of their individual cells.
- In vitro experiments on cell proliferation, membrane properties, and ion channels are difficult to extrapolate to humans.
- Apoptosis is a ubiquitous process by which multicellular organisms are able to maintain a balance between cell proliferation and death.
Synonyms
rapid increase, growth, multiplication, spread, escalation, expansion, build-up, buildout, burgeoning, snowballing, mushrooming
1.2 [in singular] A large number of something: stress levels are high, forcing upon them a proliferation of ailments...
- Smith said both resorts suffered from a proliferation of poor quality housing, especially old guesthouses filled by the homeless.
- Hence, the expansion of the number of countries led to a proliferation of currencies.
- There is a proliferation of religious discourses centering on spirits, spirit possession, and witchcraft.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French prolifération, from prolifère 'proliferous'.