gradient

noun

gra·​di·​ent ˈgrā-dē-ənt 

1

a

: the rate of regular or graded (see grade entry 2 sense transitive 2) ascent or descent : inclination

b

: a part sloping upward or downward

2

: change in the value of a quantity (such as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially per unit distance in a specified direction

3

: the vector sum of the partial derivatives with respect to the three coordinate variables x, y, and z of a scalar quantity whose value varies from point to point

4

: a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or an embryonic field)

Did you know?

Any slope can be called a gradient. In the interstate highway system, the maximum gradient is 6 percent; in other words, the highway may never ascend more than 6 vertical feet over a distance of 100 feet. Any rate of change that's shown on a graph may have a sloped gradient. Suppose the graph's horizontal axis shows the passage of time and its vertical axis shows some activity; if the activity is happening very fast, then the gradient of the line on the graph will be steep, but if it's slow the gradient will be gentle, or gradual.

Synonyms

• cant
• diagonal
• grade
• inclination
• incline
• lean
• pitch
• rake
• slant
• slope
• upgrade

Examples of gradient in a Sentence

the path goes up at a pretty steep gradient before leveling off

Recent Examples on the Web

From there, little to no layering makes the color gradient really pop, seen here by stylist Tabitha Dueñas. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024

What differentiates this faux greenery from others is the gradient coloring of the leaves that don’t look waxy. —Ali Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024

Monsoon weather patterns are influenced by a variety of atmospheric factors, including moisture levels, temperature gradients and wind patterns. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

And this lack of care can extend further up the income gradient as well. —Alissa Quart, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024

The detective comes looking for her, staggering desperately among the sharp black rocks on the sand, searching as the tide eddies and rushes, iridescent and churning, the light slowly vanishing from the pastel gradient of the sky. —Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

Whether the doping is n-type or p-type depends simply on the direction of the gradient. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024

Giambattista Valli Shadow Play Color gradients reemerge. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2024

The same forces that keep oxygen out of anoxic regions, such as abrupt salinity gradients, keep the impacts of the seaweed limited to a certain area, meaning unintended consequences can spread only so far, said Raven, who is also the chief science officer for Carboniferous. —Saima May Sidik, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin gradient-, gradiens, present participle of gradi

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gradient

noun

gra·​di·​ent ˈgrād-ē-ənt 

1

: slope entry 3 sense 2, grade

2

: a continuous graded change in measure, activity, or substance

vertical temperature gradient in a lake

a gradient in developmental activity in a seedling

Medical Definition

gradient

noun

gra·​di·​ent ˈgrād-ē-ənt 

1

: change in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially per unit on a linear scale

2

: a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or an embryonic field)

3

usually gradient of effect : change in response with distance from the stimulus