What term describes the moon that is growing or increasing in visibility?

The term that describes the moon that is growing or increasing in visibility is "waxing." When the moon is waxing, it means that more of its surface is being illuminated by the sun each night, transitioning from a new moon (when no part of the moon is visible) to a full moon (when the entire disk of the moon is illuminated). This phase includes the increasing visible parts of the moon, specifically through stages like the waxing crescent and waxing gibbous.

In contrast, a waning moon refers to the period when the visibility of the moon decreases, leading from a full moon back to a new moon. A full moon represents the peak of this illumination cycle when the moon is fully visible. The term crescent refers to the shape of the moon when it appears as a thin sliver, which can occur during both waxing and waning phases, but by definition, does not specifically indicate the increasing visibility aspect. Thus, "waxing" is the most accurate term for a moon that is becoming more visible.