ramp-up

or ramp up

[ ramp-uhp ]

noun

1. an increase in amount, intensity, extent, etc., especially a steady increase; growth or buildup (often used attributively):

   Feeding the world by 2050 will necessitate a massive global ramp-up of industrial-scale agriculture.

   An oil field’s life cycle consists of a ramp-up period, a production plateau, and a period of decline.

2. the gradual process of learning or mastering something; learning curve (often used attributively):

   Training for new hires should focus on shortening the ramp-up to proficiency.

   Even if customers switch platforms, they should still be able to use the application with little or no ramp-up time.

verb phrase

1. to increase in amount, intensity, extent, etc., especially steadily; build:

   You can ramp up your studying in the weeks before taking the SAT.

   Immunity takes time to ramp up if the body has never seen the pathogen before.

2. to progressively learn or become familiar with something:

   The two-year program allows for time to ramp up, develop skills, and apply them in real-world scenarios.

ramp up

verb

1. to increase or cause to increase
2. intr to increase the effort involved in a process

Word History and Origins

Origin of ramp-up¹

First recorded in 1980–85; noun use of verb phrase ramp up

Example Sentences

Most good public polling will ramp up as Election Day approaches, leaving fewer good surveys to work with right now.

From The Daily Beast

When Obama made the former speech, low-wage strikes around the country were just beginning to ramp up.

From The Daily Beast

In the meantime, once it goes public, it will face larger pressures to monetize all those tweets and ramp up advertising.

From The Daily Beast

The one concern is that diplomatic failure would serve to ramp up pressures for further military action.

From The Daily Beast

And as they ramp up production and fight with each other for customers, they are effectively lowering the price of the vehicles.

From The Daily Beast

Then the Pathans and Peterson's troopers, circling round the walls of the monastery, found a ramp up which they could climb.

From Project Gutenberg

He helped Porter wheel the ramp up to the door of the ship and then followed him up the steps.

From Project Gutenberg

He found a spot where rocks had tumbled down, making a steep, rough ramp up the break.

From Project Gutenberg