GROWTH

[noun] [U]The growth of a person, animal or plant is its process of increasing in size.Plant growth is most noticeable in spring and early summer.You will see new growth (= newly developing parts of a plant) sprouting in the spring, even if the plant seems dead at the moment.She's written several books on personal growth (= the development of truer and stronger emotions).The growth of something is its increase in size or importance.The government is trying to limit population growth.The rapid growth of opposition to the plan has surprised the council.Electronic publishing is a growth area (= an area of activity that is increasing in size and developing quickly).A growth is a lump growing on the outside or inside of a person, animal or plant which is caused by a disease.The doctor says the growth on her arm is not cancerous.Growth is also a short beard on a man's face when he has not shaved for a few days.Graham came back from holiday with a week's growth on his chin.Growth hormones are chemicals that increase the speed of growth.Scientists have warned that the use of growth hormones to make cattle grow more quickly may result in a health risk for consumers.