rate of change
noun phrase
: a value that results from dividing the change in a function of a variable by the change in the variable
velocity is the rate of change in distance with respect to time
Examples of rate of change in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Calculus is a type of math that focuses on the rate of change over time or a mathematics course taught in high school and college.
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John Kelly, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2023
The rate of change is brutally exponential, and the complexity of the world is daunting.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023
End of carousel Although visual arts also experienced drop-offs, the rate of change wasn’t as proportionally drastic.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
As a result, the rate of change on board is famously slow.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2023
As if to underline the slow rate of change, the leader of this year’s championship is … Surrey.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023
Rob Manfred’s reign as Major League Baseball commissioner has been most notable for its rapid rate of change, achieved through a hard-charging style and accompanied by a dogged determination to keep his bosses – the game’s 30 franchise owners – satisfied.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 26 July 2023
The acceleration tells us the rate of change of velocity—so a zero acceleration means there is no change in velocity.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 7 July 2023
Since 1950, the rate of change is double that at 2.4 degrees per century.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 July 2023
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John Kelly, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2023
The rate of change is brutally exponential, and the complexity of the world is daunting.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023
End of carousel Although visual arts also experienced drop-offs, the rate of change wasn’t as proportionally drastic.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
As a result, the rate of change on board is famously slow.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2023
As if to underline the slow rate of change, the leader of this year’s championship is … Surrey.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023
Rob Manfred’s reign as Major League Baseball commissioner has been most notable for its rapid rate of change, achieved through a hard-charging style and accompanied by a dogged determination to keep his bosses – the game’s 30 franchise owners – satisfied.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 26 July 2023
The acceleration tells us the rate of change of velocity—so a zero acceleration means there is no change in velocity.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 7 July 2023
Since 1950, the rate of change is double that at 2.4 degrees per century.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rate of change.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1876, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near rate of change
Cite this Entry
“Rate of change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rate%20of%20change. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rate of change
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