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

For a relatively modest increment over the standard room rate, you get breakfast …

—Harvey Steiman

c

: something gained or added

I pray you to transcribe, without increment or subtraction, the letter …

—Sir Walter Scott

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 of increment

• increase
• gain
• boost
• addition

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 use of tax increment financing, or TIF, across Illinois has already poked holes in the property tax base by tucking away billions into special funds that can only be spent within certain geographic boundaries. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Without a day planned in 15-minute increments, travelers can respond to what actually happens around them — saying yes to a local festival, discovering a hidden trail or lingering at a neighborhood café without watching the clock. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026

Without a day planned down to 15-minute increments, travelers can respond to what actually happens around them. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026

Wang has previous experience working with the tax increment finance zone, Community Enhancement & Development Corporation and Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026

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