gradient

noun gra·di·ent \ ˈgrā-dē-ənt \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of gradient

1 a : the rate of regular or graded (see ²grade 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)

See gradient defined for English-language learners

See gradient defined for kids

Examples of gradient in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of gradient from the Web

Thursday will start out cloudy but onshore pressure gradients will slowly weaken, according to the National Weather Service allowing for a quicker burning off of the cloud cover.

— OregonLive.com, "Portland Wednesday weather: Patchy morning drizzle followed by mostly cloudy skies," 16 May 2018
Walking on different gradients and surfaces or carrying a load while walking can add variety and challenge to your workout.

— alexandra hansen, CNN, "Most experts agree: Walking is good exercise," 14 May 2018
As the picture was a teaser preview of what’s to come, the father of one disguised the color gradient with a black and white filter.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Travis Scott Jokes His 'New Part-Time Job' Is Helping Kylie Jenner Test Out Eyeshadow Swatches," 2 Mar. 2018
From tricky watercolor designs to rainbow gradients to glitter fades—they’ve got it all on lockdown.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "These L.A. Nail Artists Will Make All Your Wildest Nail Dreams Come True," 26 Apr. 2018
The next look is a trio of thick, sky-high braids dyed with a gradient black-to-white effect towards the ends, a nod to her signature color motif.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "Janelle's Monáe's Bold Look in "I Like That Video" Marks a Liberated New Chapter," 26 Apr. 2018
That causes the pressure gradient — the difference between high- and low-pressure zones — to build over Southcentral Alaska.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Hillside home loses roof as gusts usher in Southcentral Alaska windstorm," 24 Apr. 2018
Elements of this tradition will be incorporated into the buildings’ ceramic external finishes laid in a gradient of tones.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Zaha Hadid Architects designs vaulted school in China made by robots," 19 Apr. 2018
The striking coloring is the result of mixing basic balayage with a color-melting technique, resulting in a checkered-like gradient.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "This 'Harry Potter' Hair Color Is Magic," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gradient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of gradient

Latin gradient-, gradiens, present participle of gradi

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1835

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

gradient Synonyms

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

GRADIENT Defined for English Language Learners

gradient

noun

Definition of gradient for English Language Learners

: a place where the ground slopes up or down

Medical Dictionary

gradient

noun gra·di·ent \ ˈgrād-ē-ənt \

medical Definition of gradient

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