graduated

adjective

grad·​u·​at·​ed ˈgra-jə-ˌwā-təd How to pronounce graduated (audio)
1
: marked with divisions indicating degrees or units of measurement
a graduated cylinder/tube
graduated measuring cups
2
a
: divided into or arranged in grades, steps, or successive levels usually proportionally
a graduated series of honors
b
of a tax : increasing in rate with increase in taxable base : progressive
a graduated income tax

Examples of graduated in a Sentence

a series of bowls in graduated sizes
Recent Examples on the Web Even without graduated stars like Purdue’s Jake Wilson, who threw 50 touchdowns to four interceptions and posted a 4,181-yard season, this year’s Byron Nelson squad (3–0) is on course for another electric season offensively, averaging 49 points per game through three contests. Myah Taylor, Dallas News, 12 Sep. 2023 Among the groups poised to benefit are those who took out large loans for professional school prior to the expansion of IDR and have repaid them on a graduated or extended (non-IDR) plan. Preston Cooper, Forbes, 17 July 2023 Tiffany & Co's graduated diamond necklace makes for a refined take on the riviere. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 5 Aug. 2022 In fiscally strapped Illinois, one of nine states with a flat income tax, Gov. J.B. Pritzker led a campaign for a constitutional amendment to allow a graduated or progressive tax. Grover Norquist, WSJ, 8 Nov. 2020 Voters overwhelmingly passed a graduated income tax in 1932. Gene Johnson, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2023 The federal income tax, the one that gets talked about and tweaked the most, is a genuine, graduated tax. Dallas News, 26 Aug. 2022 The biggest early question for the Spartans is who steps in to fill the center spot for graduated senior Olivia Abbott. Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Dec. 2022 Deb graduated magna cum laude with degrees in English and history from Luther College, a private liberal arts college in Decorah, Iowa, and fulfilled graduate credits from the College of Journalism, University of Iowa. Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graduated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see graduate entry 1

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of graduated was in 1679

Dictionary Entries Near graduated

Cite this Entry

“Graduated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graduated. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

graduated

adjective
grad·​u·​at·​ed
ˈgra-jə-ˌwā-təd
of a tax : increasing in rate with increase in taxable base : progressive

More from Merriam-Webster on graduated

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