accretion
Accretion refers to the process of growing or increasing gradually by adding layers or pieces. This growth can happen naturally over time.
When we talk about accretion, we often think of it happening in nature. For example, a mountain range forms through accretion as more and more sediment gets deposited on top of existing rock. A river's delta grows through accretion too - water carries in sand and mud that slowly adds to the land over time.
The word accretion can also be used in other areas like business or science. Imagine a company growing its customer base gradually by acquiring smaller companies, each one adding to the larger whole. In astronomy, accretion refers to how stars form from collapsing gas clouds, which is another kind of gradual growth process.
It's worth noting that this word comes from Latin and means 'a growing' or 'increase', which fits with the idea of adding layers or pieces over time.
How common is "accretion"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
noun
(uncountable, also figurative) Increase by natural growth, especially the gradual increase of organic bodies by the internal addition of matter; organic growth; also, the amount of such growth.
Real examples of "accretion" in context
