gradient

noun

gra·​di·​ent ˈgrā-dē-ənt 

1

a

: the rate of regular or graded (see grade entry 2 sense transitive 2) ascent or descent : inclination

b

: a part sloping upward or downward

2

: change in the value of a quantity (such as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially per unit distance in a specified direction

3

: the vector sum of the partial derivatives with respect to the three coordinate variables x, y, and z of a scalar quantity whose value varies from point to point

4

: a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or an embryonic field)

Did you know?

Any slope can be called a gradient. In the interstate highway system, the maximum gradient is 6 percent; in other words, the highway may never ascend more than 6 vertical feet over a distance of 100 feet. Any rate of change that's shown on a graph may have a sloped gradient. Suppose the graph's horizontal axis shows the passage of time and its vertical axis shows some activity; if the activity is happening very fast, then the gradient of the line on the graph will be steep, but if it's slow the gradient will be gentle, or gradual.

Synonyms

• cant
• diagonal
• grade
• inclination
• incline
• lean
• pitch
• rake
• slant
• slope
• upgrade

Examples of gradient in a Sentence

the path goes up at a pretty steep gradient before leveling off

Recent Examples on the Web

There will also be a set featuring gradient oval diamonds, with stones between 7 and 25 carats used for the masterpiece necklace that has echoes of Pierre Cardin’s erstwhile seaside mansion, the striking Palais Bulle. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 25 Sep. 2024

Curry established three field sites at private nature preserves and state parks along a north-to-south gradient in eastern Pennsylvania: a southern site with Carolina Chickadees, a middle site full of hybrid birds and a northern site that was mostly Black-caps. —Rebecca Heisman, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

The ladder features a soft, sorbet gradient and tangerine lid and straw combo with silhouettes of the Twist ‘N Turn Barbie doll that made its debut in 1967. —Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024

The designs take inspiration from the defining characteristics of a team’s hometown, and designers focused on San Francisco’s famous fog, incorporating gradients meant to represent the marine layer on their numbers and the logo on their chest. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin gradient-, gradiens, present participle of gradi

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gradient

noun

gra·​di·​ent ˈgrād-ē-ənt 

1

: slope entry 3 sense 2, grade

2

: a continuous graded change in measure, activity, or substance

vertical temperature gradient in a lake

a gradient in developmental activity in a seedling

Medical Definition

gradient

noun

gra·​di·​ent ˈgrād-ē-ənt 

1

: change in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially per unit on a linear scale

2

: a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or an embryonic field)

3

usually gradient of effect : change in response with distance from the stimulus