proliferation Definition

proliferation
noun

1. A great and rapid increase in numbers.

Thesaurus: increase, escalation, multiplication, expansion, build-up, concentration, intensification, spread, luxuriance, snowballing, extension, mushrooming, duplication, metastasis; Antonym: decrease.
2. biol.
In living organisms: the multiplication of cells, tissues or structures.
3. The spread of nuclear weapons to countries not already possessing them.

Etymology: 19c: from Latin prolifer bearing offspring, from proles offspring + ferre to bear.