MicroRNA-374a (miR-374a) is involved in the progress of various types of cancer, and may indicate a poor prognosis. However, its role in esophageal cancer remains to be determined. In the present study, the role of miR-374a in esophageal cancers and cancer cell growth was examined using miR-374a overexpression and underexpression models. The results showed that miR-374a was markedly increased in esophageal cancer cell lines and tumor samples from patients with esophageal cancer. In esophageal cancer Eca109 cells, the ectopic overexpression of miR-374a promoted cell growth. Additionally, cell growth was reduced by miR‑374a inhibition. The mechanisms underlying the promotive role were examined and it was found that miR-374a significantly decreased the expression and transcription activity of axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2). Axin2, a tumor suppressor, exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on Eca109 cell growth. The results identified a new role of miR-374a in esophageal cancer involving Axin2 suppression.