growth-n; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: a process of development, increase or advancement

Commentary: GROWTH[+process][+development]

Examples:
These slides show different stages in the growth of a human embryo.
The new enterprise zones have helped spur growth in previously declining urban areas.
The cell phone industry experienced huge growth a few years ago.
From these early pieces we begin to see the growth of the use of perspective in art.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 5

Sense Number 2: a tissue or other body part that has developed, abnormal or benign

Commentary: GROWTH[+entity][+biological][+body_part] (
NOTE: can be used metaphorically)

Examples:
These growths of skin on a dog's elbow are normal.
The biopsy of the growth on John's spine showed it was benign.
They could only apply radiation to such a large growth on the lungs.
He viewed the idea of universal suffrage as a growth to be cut from the minds of women.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6, 7

Sense Number 3: a mass of living organisms, usually plants

Commentary: GROWTH[+entity][+biological][+whole_body]

Examples:
They needed machetes to chop through the dense growth of jungle.
This house is nicely landscaped with mature growth and also some young fruit trees.
The test confirmed the presence of a serious bacterial growth in the bladder.
Use an oil-based primer in your bathroom to avoid mold growth on the walls.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4