accretion meaning

UK US /əˈkriʃən/ 3 syllables

accretion (noun): an increase by natural growth or addition.

accretion has 6 meanings in this dictionary.

accretion as a noun

  1. an increase by natural growth or addition

    Synonyms: accumulation

    Type of: increase

    Kinds: backup, buildup, deposition

    Related forms: accretionary, accrete

  2. something contributing to growth or increase
    • he scraped away the accretions of paint
    • the central city surrounded by recent accretions

    Type of: addition

    Related forms: accretionary

  3. (astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases

    Type of: increase

    Related forms: accretionary

  4. (biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles

    Type of: increase

    Related forms: accretionary, accrete

  5. (geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment

    Type of: increase

    Related forms: accretionary

  6. (law) an increase in a beneficiary's share in an estate (as when a co-beneficiary dies or fails to meet some condition or rejects the inheritance)

    Type of: inheritance

    Related forms: accretionary

How to pronounce accretion

accretion is pronounced /əˈkriʃən/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Words that rhyme with accretion

Word lists: words starting with AC · words ending in ON · 9-letter words

More about accretion on Wikipedia.