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Gradient
01
the rate at which a quantity or dimension changes over a given distance or interval
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
gradients
Examples
The gradient of the river ’s flow affects its speed.
02
the degree of the angle between the ground and the sloping line, road, etc.
What is a "gradient"?
A gradient refers to the degree of incline or slope of a road, path, or surface. It is the measure of how steep or gentle a slope is, often expressed as a percentage or ratio. A higher gradient indicates a steeper slope, while a lower gradient means a gentler incline. Gradients are important for understanding how challenging a road or path may be for travel, especially for vehicles, cyclists, or hikers. Steeper gradients can require more effort to ascend and can affect the control and safety of movement.
Examples
The cyclist struggled to climb the steep gradient.
