Growth is the process of becoming larger, stronger, more capable, or more mature over time. A sapling grows into a towering oak tree. A baby grows into a child, then a teenager, then an adult. When you practice piano every day, you experience growth in your musical ability.

Growth happens in many ways. Physical growth means getting taller and stronger. Mental growth means learning new things and developing your thinking abilities. Emotional growth means becoming wiser about feelings and relationships. When a business experiences growth, it serves more customers and earns more money.

The word suggests gradual change rather than sudden transformation. You don't wake up one morning having grown three inches: growth accumulates day by day, often so slowly you barely notice it happening. Parents mark their children's height on a doorframe because growth is hard to see in the moment but obvious over time.

Growing pains are the uncomfortable feelings that sometimes come with growth, whether physical aches or the challenge of adjusting to new responsibilities. A growth mindset describes the belief that you can improve through effort and practice. People who embrace growth understand that struggle and mistakes are part of becoming better at something, not signs to give up.