proliferation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A fast increase in the number of things, often more than is wanted or can be controlled.

   Grammar: Usually followed by of: the proliferation of apps.

   Patterns

   • proliferation of something

   The proliferation of cheap smartphones changed how people shop.

   Residents worried about the proliferation of fast-food outlets downtown.

   There has been a proliferation of online courses in recent years.

2. 2noununcountable

   The spread of nuclear, chemical, or other dangerous weapons to more countries or groups.

   Grammar: Most often in nuclear proliferation.

   Patterns

   • nuclear proliferation
   • the proliferation of weapons

   The treaty aims to stop nuclear proliferation.

   Leaders discussed the proliferation of small arms.

   Experts fear the proliferation of chemical weapons.

3. 3noununcountablebiologymedical

   In biology, the rapid multiplying of cells, such as in tissue growth or disease.

   Grammar: Used with cells and tissues.

   Patterns

   • cell proliferation

   Cell proliferation is needed to heal a wound.

   Some drugs slow the proliferation of cancer cells.

   The study measured bacterial proliferation in the sample.

Common combinations

nuclear proliferation

Diplomats met to address nuclear proliferation.

rapid proliferation

The rapid proliferation of rumors worried the mayor.

proliferation of weapons

The proliferation of weapons makes peace harder.

cell proliferation

The drug prevents cell proliferation.

a proliferation of

There was a proliferation of coffee shops on the high street.

Synonyms and how they differ

spread

Spread is everyday and can be slow, while proliferation suggests fast, often multiplying growth.

multiplication

Multiplication stresses the numbers rising by repeated increase, and is often used in math.

surge

Surge stresses a sudden jump rather than continuing growth.

explosion

Explosion is a dramatic, informal-sounding word for sudden growth, stronger than proliferation.

Opposites

Word family

proliferate verb

to increase rapidly in number

proliferative adjective

growing by rapid multiplication

prolific adjective

producing a lot, as a prolific writer

nonproliferation noun

efforts to stop the spread of weapons

Commonly confused: proliferation or prolific?

Practice

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