Accretion - Definition and Overview

• In astrophysics, accretion is the gravitational process by which bodies such as planets and stars form from gas and dust.
  • See also: accretion disc

• In atmospheric science, accretion is the growth of a precipitation particle by the collision of an ice crystal or snowflake with a supercooled liquid droplet that freezes upon impact.
  • External link: National Science Digital Library - Accretion (http://www.nsdl.arm.gov/Library/glossary.shtml#accretion)

• In finance, accretion is the change in the price of a bond bought at a discount between the original price and the par value of the bond.