growth

(noun) (biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level. Synonyms: growing, maturation, development, ontogeny, ontogenesis. Example: "He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children."

(noun) a progression from simpler to more complex forms. Example: "The growth of culture."

(noun) a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important. Synonyms: increase, increment. Examples: "The increase in unemployment." "The growth of population."

(noun) vegetation that has grown. Examples: "A growth of trees." "The only growth was some salt grass."

(noun) the gradual beginning or coming forth. Synonyms: emergence, outgrowth. Example: "Figurines presage the emergence of sculpture in greece."

(noun) (pathology) an abnormal proliferation of tissue (as in a tumor).

(noun) something grown or growing. Example: "A growth of hair."