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 Word Forms

• 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

The rain blew harder, strafing the windows, and as brother and sister talked, at times teasing one another, they suggested they were learning that life comes in increments of loss and renewal.

From Los Angeles Times

He has continued to progress the record in one-centimetre increments ever since, while securing 10 major international titles in the process.

From BBC

News of Yoon's salary increase has drawn criticism among South Koreans, some of whom say they cannot believe he is still getting paid - let alone getting a increment - while he is suspended.

From BBC

Engineers plan water systems with pressure zones in increments of 100 feet of elevation.

From Los Angeles Times

She also opposed efforts to raise teachers’ salaries with money from Chicago’s tax increment financing fund, preferring that $5.1 billion from that fund be used to finance a Hyatt-franchised hotel.

From Salon

Quiz

Q: Because of their eager and enthusiastic nature, Aries are often described as …

• rhapsodic.
• tenacious.
• adaptable.

Take the full quiz.Go to all quizzes