Gradient Meaning
/ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA slope or incline.
nounA rate of inclination or declination of a slope.
Sentence Examples
The gradient of this hill is steep.
The height and gradient can be adjusted.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mountain's steep ____ from base to top caused a ten-degree temperature drop.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The road had a very steep ____, which made it quite difficult and tiring to cycle up the long hill.
Word Origin & History
From Latin gradiēns, present participle of gradior (“to step, to walk”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Just beyond that station the first step is encountered and the rack resorted to, taking the line on a gradient of 1 in 9 over a steeply inclined bridge and through a spiral tunnel."
— 1950 November, H. P. White, “The Furka-Oberalp Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 767:
"movable and Gradient Automata"
— 1648, John Wilkins, Mathematicall Magick. Or, The Wonders that may be Performed by Mechanicall Geometry. […], London: […] M[iles] F[lesher] for Sa[muel] Gellibrand […], →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mountain's steep ____ from base to top caused a ten-degree temperature drop.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The road had a very steep ____, which made it quite difficult and tiring to cycle up the long hill.