increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt How to pronounce increment (audio)
ˈin-
1
: the amount or degree by which something changes
especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables
2
a
: one of a series of regular consecutive additions
b
: a minute increase in quantity
c
: something gained or added
3
: the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value : enlargement

Did you know?

Increment is used in many technical fields, but also nontechnically. Incremental increases in drug dosages are used for experimental purposes. Incremental tax increases are easier to swallow than sudden large increases. Incremental changes of any kind may be hard to notice, but can be very significant in the long run. Rome wasn't built in a day, but was instead built up by increments from a couple of villages in the 10th century B.C. to the capital of the Mediterranean world in the 1st century A.D.

Examples of increment in a Sentence

They increased the dosage of the drug in small increments over a period of several weeks. Fines increase in increments of $10. The volume is adjustable in 10 equal increments.
Recent Examples on the Web The scholarship will be awarded in increments of $1,000 for each eligible student in each academic year with a maximum of $4,000 for each eligible student in each academic year, as determined by the Division of Higher Education under Act 386. Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2023 Workers can redeem these in increments of one or two weeks at a time. BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 For the first time, schools and districts will be given an overall ranking from one to five stars, in half-star increments. cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023 Deal five cards to each player in increments of two and three, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023 Even newer research released today points to the life-saving benefit of mere 1,000 and even 500 step increments, though 4,000 steps a day are needed to significantly reduce the chance of death, researchers say. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 9 Aug. 2023 After two days of bidding, there were just two with a high bid of $12,000, and bidding in increments of $1,000. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2023 The pass, which comes in weekly increments and is good for unlimited use, is a considerable savings. Ingrid Abramovitch, ELLE Decor, 7 Aug. 2023 The key to eliminating that barrier may be to break down exercise into smaller increments. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 21 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'increment.' 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

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin incrementum, from increscere to increase

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of increment was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near increment

Cite this Entry

“Increment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/increment. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt How to pronounce increment (audio)
ˈin-
1
: a growth especially in quantity or value : increase
2
a
: something gained or added
b
: one of a series of additions
incremental
ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl
ˌin-
adjective

Medical Definition

increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt, ˈin- How to pronounce increment (audio)
1
a
: something gained or added
the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytesW. A. D. Anderson
b
: one of a series of regular consecutive additions (as of growth or spread of disease)
2
: the amount or degree by which something changes
especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables
incremental adjective
incrementally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on increment

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