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

Points accumulate at a rate of 10 per dollar spent on reservations and are redeemable in increments of 12,500 for $25 certificates that can be applied toward room bills and other on-property charges. —Eric Rosen, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2024

The site also lies in the 119th and Halsted Street tax increment financing district, which is due to expire in 2026, so TIF funds for improvements are available. —Kimberly Fornek, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2024

The tax break package includes a combination of tax increment financing and a community improvement district, as well as economic development revenue bonds providing a sales tax exemption on construction materials. —Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2024

Councilman Aaron Penman speculated that should developers be forced to develop in increments of 20 acres, project costs might grow, and so would housing costs. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024

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

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