secondary growth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Academic (primarily botany, forestry, ecology)
Quick answer
What does “secondary growth” mean?
The increase in thickness (girth) of plant stems and roots, occurring after the primary growth in length. It involves the activity of lateral meristems (vascular cambium and cork cambium), resulting in wood and bark formation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The increase in thickness (girth) of plant stems and roots, occurring after the primary growth in length. It involves the activity of lateral meristems (vascular cambium and cork cambium), resulting in wood and bark formation.
1. (General) A subsequent, less significant period of development or increase, often in a non-botanical context. 2. (Ecology/Management) The later-stage vegetation that regenerates in an area after a major disturbance (e.g., logging, fire).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Spelling conventions for related terms may differ (e.g., 'cambium' is universal). In forestry/ecology contexts, regional tree species discussed will differ.
Connotations
Identical in technical contexts. In metaphorical use, perhaps slightly more common in American academic prose for describing economic or urban development phases.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both varieties. Almost exclusively found in scientific and environmental texts.
Grammar
How to Use “secondary growth” in a Sentence
[Plant/Stem] undergoes secondary growth.Secondary growth is initiated by [the vascular cambium].Secondary growth results in [wood/bark].The [tree] exhibits considerable secondary growth.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secondary growth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The woody stem begins to secondary-grow (hyphenated, very rare).
- The plant secondary-grows its xylem.
American English
- The tree secondary-grows (hyphenated, very rare) each season.
- These species secondary-grow rapidly.
adverb
British English
- The stem expanded secondarily (preferred over 'secondary-growth-ly').
- It grew primarily in length, then secondarily in girth.
American English
- The root thickened secondarily.
- Growth occurred secondarily through cambial activity.
adjective
British English
- Secondary-growth tissues are complex.
- The secondary-growth phase is long.
American English
- Secondary-growth characteristics vary.
- We studied secondary-growth patterns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorical: 'The company's secondary growth came from its subscription services after the initial hardware sales.'
Academic
Common in botany, plant biology, forestry, ecology. 'The study quantified secondary growth rates in three pine species.'
Everyday
Very rare. Only used by gardeners or in nature documentaries.
Technical
The primary context. Precise description of plant anatomy and physiology processes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secondary growth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secondary growth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secondary growth”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'secondary growth rings' is fine, but 'the growth was secondary' is odd).
- Confusing it with 'second growth' (forestry term for regrown forest).
- Using it to mean 'growth for a second time' rather than 'growth in girth'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It's not about timing ('a second growth') but about direction and tissue type. It's the growth in thickness/girth that occurs concurrently or after primary growth in length.
No. It is characteristic of gymnosperms and most dicotyledonous angiosperms (woody plants). Most monocots (like grasses, palms) and herbaceous dicots lack significant secondary growth.
'Secondary growth' is a physiological process in a single plant. 'Secondary forest' (or 'second growth') is an ecological term for forest that has regrown after a major disturbance.
Only metaphorically and with caution, as it is a highly technical term. Phrases like 'secondary revenue growth' or 'subsequent growth phase' are clearer for general audiences.
The increase in thickness (girth) of plant stems and roots, occurring after the primary growth in length. It involves the activity of lateral meristems (vascular cambium and cork cambium), resulting in wood and bark formation.
Secondary growth is usually technical/academic (primarily botany, forestry, ecology) in register.
Secondary growth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənd(ə)ri ɡrəʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ɡroʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] The tech sector experienced a primary boom, followed by a slower secondary growth in related services.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tree: PRIMARY growth is UP (height), SECONDARY growth is OUT (thickness, like a secondary direction).
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVELOPMENT IS PLANT GROWTH (Primary = initial, foundational; Secondary = subsequent, reinforcing, thickening).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meristem involved in secondary growth?