gradation

[ grey-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. any process or change taking place through a series of stages, by degrees, or in a gradual manner.
2. a stage, degree, or grade in such a series.
3. the passing of one tint or shade of color to another, or one surface to another, by very small degrees, as in painting or sculpture.
4. the act of grading.
5. ablaut.
6. Geology. the leveling of a land surface, resulting from the concerted action of erosion and deposition.

gradation

/ ɡrəˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. a series of systematic stages; gradual progression
2. often plural a stage or degree in such a series or progression
3. the act or process of arranging or forming in stages, grades, etc, or of progressing evenly
4. (in painting, drawing, or sculpture) transition from one colour, tone, or surface to another through a series of very slight changes
5. linguistics any change in the quality or length of a vowel within a word indicating certain distinctions, such as inflectional or tense differentiations See ablaut
6. geology the natural levelling of land as a result of the building up or wearing down of pre-existing formations

gradation

/ grā-dā′shən /

1. The process by which land is leveled off through erosion or the transportation or deposition of sediments, especially the process by which a riverbed is brought to a level where it is just able to transport the amount of sediment delivered to it.
2. The proportion of particles (such as sand grains) of a given size within a sample of particulate material, such as soil or sandstone.

Derived Forms

• graˈdationally, adverb
• graˈdational, adjective

Other Words From

• gra·dation·al adjective
• gra·dation·al·ly adverb
• regra·dation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gradation¹

First recorded in 1530–40, gradation is from the Latin word gradātiōn- (stem of gradātiō ). See grade, -ation

Example Sentences

Lacorazza’s movie is one of gradations, the daughters in the later chapters subtly carrying the cumulative disappointment and stubborn love these woman still harbor for their flawed father.

From Los Angeles Times

The movie does not go where you think it will, or pay close attention to the gradations of Samet’s dangerous misjudgments at the expense of a larger narrative.

From Seattle Times

Another key problem is that the movie, though appealingly shot in gradations of dreaminess and realism by cinematographer Alwin H. Küchler, is trapped between character study and avenging thriller, leaving both sides starved for oxygen.

From Los Angeles Times

And there’s a gradation between, because there are people who show up once and then might not show up for the rest of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

New cultivated a fine core of color and volume and shifted from it in gradations, though she didn’t necessarily mine the Andante’s introspection or the Presto’s drama.

From New York Times

Related Words

• calibration
• nuance