verb (used with object), increased, increasing.

1. to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: "to increase taxes."

verb (used without object), increased, increasing.

2. to become greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality: "Sales of automobiles increased last year."

3. to multiply by propagation.

4. to wax, as the moon.


noun

5. growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc.: "the increase of crime."

6. the act or process of increasing.

7. that by which something is increased.

8. the result of increasing.

9. produce of the earth.

10. product; profit; interest.

11. Obsolete.
a. multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.
b. offspring; progeny.