proliferate

[ pruh-lif-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, pro·lif·er·at·ed, pro·lif·er·at·ing.

1. to grow or produce by multiplication of parts, as in budding or cell division, or by procreation.
2. to increase in number or spread rapidly and often excessively.

proliferate

/ prəˈlɪfəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to grow or reproduce (new parts, cells, etc) rapidly
2. to grow or increase or cause to grow or increase rapidly

Derived Forms

• proˈliferative, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·lifer·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proliferate¹

First recorded in 1870–75; prolifer(ous) + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of proliferate¹

C19: from Medieval Latin prōlifer having offspring, from Latin prōlēs offspring + ferre to bear

Example Sentences

Further complicating matters, cell density constantly shifted as cells proliferated at ever changing rates -- interacting in complex ways with the synNotch genetic circuit.

From Science Daily

This wild plant, whose seedlings proliferate after a fire, served as a vital food source of many of the region’s Indigenous people, who tended it with prescribed burns.

From Science Magazine

Their research was motivated by the question of why mutant variants of bacteria do not proliferate and take over the population once they have developed an antibiotic-resistant advantage.

From Science Daily

Listeria’s ability to adapt and proliferate under varied conditions means “it’s an ongoing battle,” especially at large food-processing establishments like BrucePac, which churns out precooked, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products in huge quantities.

From Los Angeles Times

Conversely, destructive behavior proliferates in communities that condone it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breed
• burgeon
• escalate
• generate
• multiply
• mushroom
• propagate
• reproduce
• snowball