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

Whether the doping is n-type or p-type depends simply on the direction of the gradient. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024

Giambattista Valli Shadow Play Color gradients reemerge. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2024

The same forces that keep oxygen out of anoxic regions, such as abrupt salinity gradients, keep the impacts of the seaweed limited to a certain area, meaning unintended consequences can spread only so far, said Raven, who is also the chief science officer for Carboniferous. —Saima May Sidik, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024

The Bardot gradient The year 2024 is definitely the year of volume. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2024

Donington Park is a fun circuit with changing gradients, flowing complexes of corners, and plenty of run-off. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024

In this essay adapted from the forthcoming anthology, What My Father and I Don’t Talk About, Andrew Altschul explores the shades and gradients of a father’s love. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Mar. 2024

The blue hue on the cover gave it a soulful feel; however, in its original gradient, Blige donned a statement red lip. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Mar. 2024

These movement-maximizing adjustments were guided by a type of optimization algorithm called gradient descent. —Matthew Hutson, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2023

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