Polynomial growth forces a meromorphic function to be rational

A meromorphic function on the plane with $|f(z)|\le C|z{|}^n$ outside a disc has no poles there and only finitely many poles inside. Subtract their finite principal parts to obtain an entire function. For $n\ge 0$, Cauchy estimates make every derivative of order above $n$ vanish, so the remainder is a polynomial. For $n<0$ the remainder tends to zero at infinity and is zero by Liouville theorem. Adding back the principal parts gives a rational function in either case.