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

Palos Heights is one step closer to extending its Gateway Redevelopment Project tax increment financing district by 12 years after a vote of support Wednesday by the High School District 218 board. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026

Still, what distinguishes Gionfriddo is not her ear for cruelty but her ability to see beyond it, and to shift the prism of audience sympathy, in tiny increments. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026

Smaller bars are easier to sell because they can be traded in more accessible increments. —Jessica Walrack, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

Some bonds, including Treasury, corporate, or municipal, are sold in $1,000 increments. —Larry Magid, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 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