What does "accretion" mean?
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.
Accretion
/əˈkɹiːʃn̩/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: 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.
- Grammar: accretion is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: accumulation, access, accession, accessory.
- Useful contrasts: abatement, attrition, avulsion.
- Usage evidence: An accretion disk has formed around the star.
How to use "accretion"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "accretion" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "accretion" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "accretion" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "accretion" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accumulation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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. also, figuratively, uncountable
"Warwick was unable to perceive much change in the market-house. […] There might have been a slight accretion of the moss and lichen on the shingled roof."
- 2 (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) wordnet
- 3 (Gradual) increase by an external addition of matter; (countable) an instance of this. uncountable
"Near-synonym: accumulation"
- 4 an increase by natural growth or addition wordnet
- 5 (Gradual) increase by an external addition of matter; (countable) an instance of this.; The process by which material is added to a geological feature; specifically, to a tectonic plate at a subduction zone. countable, uncountable
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 (geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment wordnet
- 7 Followed by of: external addition of matter to a thing which causes it to grow, especially in amount or size. also, figuratively, uncountable
"[W]hile ſome fevv grevv rich by turning Money in their ovvn Banks, there vvas a falſe Appearance of VVealth vvithin, but no Accretion of Riches from abroad."
- 8 (biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles wordnet
- 9 The process of separate particles aggregating or coalescing together; concretion; (countable) a thing formed in this manner. uncountable
"The accretion of particles forms a solid mass."
- 10 (astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases wordnet
- 11 The process of separate particles aggregating or coalescing together; concretion; (countable) a thing formed in this manner.; The formation of planets, stars, and other celestial bodies by the aggregating of matter drawn together by gravity; also, the growth of a celestial body through this process. countable, uncountable
"This theory, known as pebble accretion, is reshaping how scientists think about the early solar system. […] "In many ways, pebble accretion is the most efficient way of adding mass to a body," says Lambrechts."
- 12 something contributing to growth or increase wordnet
- 13 Something gradually added to or growing on a thing externally. countable, figuratively
"accretion of ice"
- 14 Something gradually added to or growing on a thing externally.; A substance which has built up on the surface of an object, rather than become embedded in it. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Accretions of dirt on clothing are often left in place by conservators because they can provide additional details about the artefact’s importance or history."
- 15 Increase in property by the addition of other property to it (for example, gain of land by alluvion (“the deposition of sediment by a river or sea”) or dereliction (“recession of water from the usual watermark”), or entitlement to the products of the property such as interest on money); or by the property owner acquiring another person’s ownership rights; accession; (countable) an instance of this. uncountable
- 16 Increase of an inheritance to an heir or legatee due to the share of a co-heir or co-legatee being added to it, because the latter person is legally unable to inherit the share. uncountable
Example
"An accretion disk has formed around the star."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "accretion"?
Common synonyms include: accumulation, access, accession, accessory, accrual, accumulating.
How do you use "accretion" in a sentence?
An accretion disk has formed around the star.
How do you pronounce "accretion"?
Pronounced /əˈkɹiːʃn̩/.
Etymology
PIE word *h₂éd Learned borrowing from Latin accrētiō (“increase, increment”) + English -ion (suffix forming nouns denoting actions or processes, or their results). Accrētiō is derived from accrēscō (“to grow, increase”) + -tiō (suffix forming nouns denoting actions or processes, or their results); and accrēscō is from ac- (a variant of ad-, prefix meaning ‘to’, or having an intensifying effect) + crēscō (“to grow; to increase”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱer- (“to cause to grow; to grow; to nourish”)). Doublet of accrue, crescent, and increase.