Definitions for gradient

• Definition
• Anagrams (487)

gradient gra·di·ent

Spelling: [grey-dee-uh nt]

IPA: /ˈgreɪ di ənt/

Gradient is a 8 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 10 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 12 points.

You can make 487 anagrams from letters in gradient (adeginrt).

Definitions for gradient

noun

1. the degree of inclination, or the rate of ascent or descent, in a highway, railroad, etc.
2. an inclined surface; grade; ramp.
3. Physics. the rate of change with respect to distance of a variable quantity, as temperature or pressure, in the direction of maximum change. a curve representing such a rate of change.
4. Mathematics. a differential operator that, operating upon a function of several variables, results in a vector the coordinates of which are the partial derivatives of the function. Symbol: ∇. Abbreviation: grad.

adjective

1. rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
2. progressing by walking; stepping with the feet as animals do.
3. of a type suitable for walking or running, as the feet of certain birds; gressorial.

Origin of gradient

1635-45; Latin gradient- (stem of gradiēns), present participle of gradī to walk, go, equivalent to grad- walk + -i- thematic vowel + -ent- -en

Examples for gradient

It may have been the gradient of the hills, but somehow her gait had lost something of its buoyancy.

The gradient steepened, the snow was hard, and the axe was invoked.

This gradient is not uniform, but diminishes at greater depths.

We march to our crises by a gradient, every step of which is a moral decision.

It is thus that a gradient of one in four becomes a necessity.

In summer, when the gradient is steepest, convection reaches its maximum.

The 'ways' sloped at a gradient of one foot in twelve, and had iron surfaces.

Their gradient is commonly greater than that of the present rivers.

She was toiling along, for the gradient just there was steep.

But Brown didn't answer; he just looked thoughtfully at the gradient.