proliferation
gb/pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/ us/pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
~ 5700
elterjedés, elszaporodás, nukleáris proliferáció, sejtszaporodás, sejtproliferáció
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
elterjedés
B2
elszaporodás
B2
Usage pattern:
the proliferation of [things]
The proliferation of smartphones has changed how people communicate and work.
Az okostelefonok elterjedése megváltoztatta, hogyan kommunikálnak és dolgoznak az emberek.
Many residents are worried about the proliferation of short-term rentals in their neighborhood.
Sok lakos aggódik a rövid távú lakáskiadások elszaporodása miatt a környékükön.
Over the last decade, there has been a rapid proliferation of online streaming services.
Experts warn that the proliferation of fake news can weaken trust in public institutions.
Government incentives led to a proliferation of small solar power companies.
Learner examples
The proliferation of cars has caused more traffic in the city.
Az autók elszaporodása nagyobb forgalmat okozott a városban.
There is a proliferation of coffee shops on this street now.
Ezen az utcán mostanra elszaporodtak a kávézók.
The proliferation of websites makes it hard to find good information.
We have seen a proliferation of new apps in the last few years.
The proliferation of plastic bags is bad for the environment.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'proliferation' when they just mean 'variety' or 'many different types'. 'Proliferation' focuses on a fast or large increase, not just diversity. Another common mistake is using it without 'of' (e.g., saying 'the proliferation guns' instead of 'the proliferation of guns').
Meaning
rapid increase in number or amount
Collocations
the proliferation of
|rapid proliferation
|proliferation of technology
|proliferation of social media
|proliferation of startups
|global proliferation
Synonyms
spread (More general and slightly less formal; does not always suggest a fast or large increase.)
|
growth (Focuses on becoming larger over time; may sound more neutral or positive than 'proliferation'.)
|
explosion (Informal and figurative; emphasizes a very sudden and dramatic increase.)
Antonyms
decline (Suggests a steady decrease in number or amount, opposite of an increase.)
|
reduction (Emphasizes the act of making something fewer or smaller instead of allowing it to multiply.)
Themes
society
|business
|technology
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A fast and big increase in how many of something there are, especially in many places at once.
A rapid or widespread increase in the number, amount, or variety of something, often in many places at the same time.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
proliferation of nuclear weapons
The treaty aims to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region.
A szerződés célja, hogy megállítsa a nukleáris fegyverek elterjedését a térségben.
World leaders met to discuss new measures against nuclear proliferation.
A világ vezetői új intézkedésekről tárgyaltak a nukleáris proliferáció ellen.
Analysts warn that continued proliferation could lead to a more unstable world.
Efforts to control nuclear proliferation have been only partly successful.
Sanctions were introduced to discourage further proliferation of nuclear technology.
Learner examples
Many countries are worried about nuclear proliferation.
Sok ország aggódik a nukleáris proliferáció miatt.
The UN works to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Az ENSZ azon dolgozik, hogy korlátozza a nukleáris fegyverek elterjedését.
Nuclear proliferation can make the world more dangerous.
Some nations signed an agreement to stop nuclear proliferation.
They held talks on how to prevent nuclear proliferation.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'proliferation' alone when 'nuclear proliferation' is needed to make the meaning clear. In political and news contexts, 'proliferation' by itself often still needs a modifier like 'nuclear', 'weapons', or 'missile' to avoid ambiguity.
Meaning
spread of nuclear weapons
Collocations
nuclear proliferation
|weapons proliferation
|proliferation of nuclear weapons
|proliferation risks
|proliferation threat
|proliferation treaty
Synonyms
arms buildup (General increase in weapons; does not specifically focus on nuclear weapons spreading to more states.)
|
arms race (Stresses competition between nations to gain more weapons, not just the spread of them.)
Antonyms
nuclear disarmament (Refers to reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons, the opposite of increasing and spreading them.)
|
non-proliferation (Focuses on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons rather than reversing it.)
Themes
politics
|military
|security
|international_relations
|law
|science
Definition
The fast increase in the number of nuclear weapons and the number of countries that have them.
The rapid increase and spread of nuclear weapons and related technology among countries or groups.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
cell proliferation in [tissue or organ]
The drug is designed to slow the proliferation of cancer cells.
A gyógyszert úgy tervezték, hogy lassítsa a rákos sejtek szaporodását.
Abnormal cell proliferation can lead to tumor formation.
A rendellenes sejtszaporodás daganatképződéshez vezethet.
Researchers measured lymphocyte proliferation in response to the vaccine.
Uncontrolled proliferation of skin cells is a symptom of this disease.
These signals regulate cell proliferation during early development.
Learner examples
The doctor explained that there was rapid cell proliferation in the tumor.
Az orvos elmagyarázta, hogy a daganatban gyors sejtszaporodás zajlott.
Some medicines try to stop the proliferation of cancer cells.
Egyes gyógyszerek megpróbálják megállítani a rákos sejtek szaporodását.
Cell proliferation is a normal part of healing a wound.
Too much cell proliferation can be dangerous.
Scientists study cell proliferation to understand how tissues grow.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse biological 'proliferation' with general 'growth'. In medical texts, 'proliferation' often implies a faster or more active process, sometimes abnormal, and is usually used with a specific noun like 'cell' or 'tumor cells'.
Meaning
rapid cell or tissue growth
Collocations
cell proliferation
|uncontrolled proliferation
|proliferation of cancer cells
|abnormal cell proliferation
|lymphocyte proliferation
|tumor cell proliferation
Synonyms
cell growth (More general and slightly less technical; does not always imply rapid or abnormal division.)
|
cell division (Focuses on the process of one cell splitting into two, not the overall increase in cell number over time.)
Antonyms
apoptosis (Technical term for programmed cell death that counteracts excessive proliferation.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|biology
|health
Definition
Very fast cell growth, when cells divide and increase in number.
The rapid reproduction of cells or other biological units, leading to an increase in tissue or organism size or number.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proliferation
IPA
GB/pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/
US/pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
pro - lif - er - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (er)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: proliferation
- Plural: proliferations
Word family
Forms
proliferations
noun
Core family
proliferate
verb C1
Related words
prolific
adjective C1
prolifically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
non-proliferation
noun
Advanced or less common
proliferative
adjective
proliferator
noun
Expressions
cell proliferation
1/sˈɛl pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
rapid growth of cells
Very fast cell growth, when cells divide and increase in number in part of the body.
Examples
- The treatment reduced abnormal cell proliferation in the liver.
- Cell proliferation plays a key role in tissue repair.
nuclear proliferation
1/nˈukliɚ pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
spread of nuclear weapons
The fast increase in the number of nuclear weapons and the number of countries that have them.
Examples
- International agreements try to limit nuclear proliferation.
- Nuclear proliferation remains a major concern for global security.
proliferation treaty
1/pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən tɹˈiti/
fixed phrase
formal
treaty to limit weapon spread
A formal agreement between countries that tries to stop or control the spread of weapons, especially nuclear weapons.
Examples
- They discussed possible changes to the existing proliferation treaty.
- Several nations refused to sign the new proliferation treaty.
weapons proliferation
1/wˈɛpənz pɹˌoʊlɪfɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
spread of weapons
The fast increase and spread of weapons among different countries or groups.
Examples
- The report highlights the dangers of small-arms and light-weapons proliferation.
- New controls were introduced to curb weapons proliferation in the region.