proliferation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a rapid increase in number (especially a rapid increase in the number of deadly weapons)

   the proliferation of nuclear weapons

2. 2
   noun

   The act of increasing, rising, or proliferating; augmentation, amplification, enlargement, escalation, aggrandizement.

   One particularly damaging, but often ignored, effect of conflict on education is the proliferation of attacks on schools[…]as children, teachers or school buildings become the targets of attacks. Parents fear sending their children to school. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.

3. 3
   noun

   growth by the rapid multiplication of parts

4. 4
   noun

   The process by which an organism produces others of its kind; breeding, propagation, procreation, reproduction.

5. 5
   noun

   The result of building up; buildup, accretion.

Etymology

Borrowed from French prolifération.