Definitions of increase:

• noun:   the act of increasing something

  Example: "He gave me an increase in salary"

• noun:   the amount by which something increases

  Example: "They proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare"

• noun:   a change resulting in an increase

  Example: "The increase is scheduled for next month"

• noun:   a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important

  Example: "The increase in unemployment"

• noun:   a quantity that is added
• verb:   make bigger or more

  Example: "The boss finally increased her salary"

• verb:   become bigger or greater in amount

  Example: "The amount of work increased"