increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt 

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.

Synonyms

• accretion
• accrual
• addendum
• addition
• augmentation
• boost
• expansion
• gain
• increase
• more
• plus
• proliferation
• raise
• rise
• step-up
• supplement
• uptick

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

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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

Phrases Containing increment

• annual increment
• unearned increment

• annual increment
• unearned increment

Kids Definition

increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt 

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- 

1

a

: something gained or added

the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytes

—W. 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

ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl, ˌin- 

adjective

incrementally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb