2in·crease 
/ˈɪnˌkri:s/ noun
plural in·creas·es /ˈɪnˌkri:s/ noun 1 : the act of becoming larger or of making something larger or greater in size, amount, number, etc. [count] ▪ a tax increase ▪ population increases ▪ increases in sales ▪ an increase in life expectancy [noncount] ▪ The employees expect some increase in wages. ▪ The construction will probably cause some increase in traffic delays. 2 [count] : the amount by which something is made larger or greater
▪ The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent. ▪ an increase of three dollars — opposite decrease
▪ The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent. ▪ an increase of three dollars — opposite decrease
on the increase
: becoming more in size, amount, number, etc. : increasing
▪ The number of college applications is on the increase. [=on the rise]
▪ The number of college applications is on the increase. [=on the rise]
