increment

[ in-kruh-muhnt, ing- ]

noun

1. something added or gained; addition; increase.
2. profit; gain.
3. the act or process of increasing; growth.
4. an amount by which something increases or grows:

   a weekly increment of $25 in salary.

5. one of a series of regular additions:

   You may make deposits in increments of $500.

6. Mathematics.
   1. the difference between two values of a variable; a change, positive, negative, or zero, in an independent variable.
   2. the increase of a function due to an increase in the independent variable.

increment

/ ˈɪnkrɪmənt /

noun

1. an increase or addition, esp one of a series
2. the act of increasing; augmentation
3. maths a small positive or negative change in a variable or function. Symbol: Δ, as in Δ x or Δ f

Other Words From

• in·cre·men·tal [in-kr, uh, -, men, -tl, ing-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of increment¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin incrēmentum an increase, equivalent to incrē ( scere ) to grow ( increase ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of increment¹

C15: from Latin incrēmentum growth, increase

Example Sentences

Sir Tony said the losses were "for tiny increments of land" but that there was "no doubt that Russia is making tactical, territorial gains and that is putting pressure on Ukraine".

From BBC

He said the losses were for "for tiny increments of land".

From BBC

It jacked up rates 10 more times through July 2023, mostly in increments of half or three-quarters of a point, in an effort to fight a surge in inflation.

From Los Angeles Times

That means even a small increment in food prices, even a 1% bump up, can translate into significantly higher profits for retailers.

From Salon

"These 'trainees' are promised to be made permanent employees after a couple of months, but this doesn't happen. The salaries too stay stagnant or have very low increments."

From BBC