acc
re
tion
Plural
accretions
1
the process of something growing or increasing slowly over time as new parts are added
- The slow accretion of knowledge shaped her expertise.
- Over centuries, the accretion of traditions formed the nation's culture.
- The museum's collection grew through the steady accretion of rare artifacts.
- Personal wealth often results from the gradual accretion of savings.
- The language evolved through the accretion of borrowed words.
Synonyms:
2
the process by which a beneficiary's portion of an estate grows because another co-beneficiary dies, rejects the inheritance, or fails to qualify
- Under the will, her inheritance increased through accretion.
- Accretion applied after one heir renounced their claim.
- The lawyer explained how accretion affected the property division.
- Without a replacement beneficiary, his share rose by accretion.
- Accretion ensured the remaining heirs received larger portions.
3
the gradual expansion of land caused by soil, sand, or sediment carried by water and deposited along the shore or riverbanks
- The delta grew due to the constant accretion of sediment.
- Landowners benefited from the accretion of fertile soil after floods.
- The coastline changed shape through centuries of natural accretion.
- Accretion along the river created new farmland.
- Scientists study accretion patterns to predict erosion risks.
4
the process of growth caused by the gradual buildup or sticking together of small parts or particles
- Coral reefs form through the accretion of calcium carbonate layers.
- The shell's structure results from the slow accretion of minerals.
- Accretion occurs when tissue regenerates by adding new cells.
- Bone density increases via the accretion of calcium deposits.
- Scientists observed the accretion of microscopic particles in the sample.
5
the process by which planets, stars, or other celestial bodies form as gravity pulls together surrounding gas, dust, and debris
- The Earth was formed through the accretion of cosmic material.
- Astronomers study accretion to understand how galaxies evolve.
- The accretion disk around the black hole releases intense radiation.
- Planetary accretion created the rocky bodies in the solar system.
- The moon's structure is explained by models of accretion.