proliferation

 
Pronunciation: /prəlɪfəˈreɪʃn/

noun

[mass noun]
  • rapid increase in the number or amount of something: a continuing threat of nuclear proliferation
  • rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism: we attempted to measure cell proliferation
  • [in singular] a large number of something: stress levels are high, forcing upon them a proliferation of ailments

Origin:

mid 19th century: from French prolifération, from prolifère 'proliferous'