gradation

gra·da·tion

noun \grā-ˈdā-shən, grə-\

Definition of GRADATION

1

a : a series forming successive stages b : a step or place in an ordered scale

2

: an advance by regular degrees

3

: a gradual passing from one tint or shade to another

4

: the act or process of grading

5

: ablaut

— gra·da·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— gra·da·tion·al·ly adverb

First Known Use of GRADATION

1549

Rhymes with GRADATION

aeration, Alsatian, carnation, castration, causation, cessation, cetacean, citation, Claymation, cognation, collation, conflation, C ration, creation, cremation, crenation, Croatian, crustacean, dalmatian, damnation, deflation, delation, dictation, dilation, donation, earth station, elation, Eurasian, filtration, fixation, flirtation, flotation, formation, foundation, frustration, gas station, gestation, gustation, guttation, gyration, hydration, inflation, lactation, legation, libation, location, lunation, lustration, luxation, migration, mutation, narration, negation, notation, oblation, oration, outstation, ovation, palmation, palpation, plantation, potation, predation, privation, probation, pronation, proration, prostration, pulsation, punctation, pupation, purgation, relation, rogation, rotation, salvation, sedation, sensation, serration, space station, stagflation, stagnation, starvation, striation, substation, summation, tarnation, taxation, temptation, translation, truncation, vacation, vexation, vibration, vocation, way station, workstation