increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt 

ˈin-

1

: the amount or degree by which something changes

especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables

2

a

: one of a series of regular consecutive additions

b

: a minute increase in quantity

c

: something gained or added

3

: the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value : enlargement

Did you know?

Increment is used in many technical fields, but also nontechnically. Incremental increases in drug dosages are used for experimental purposes. Incremental tax increases are easier to swallow than sudden large increases. Incremental changes of any kind may be hard to notice, but can be very significant in the long run. Rome wasn't built in a day, but was instead built up by increments from a couple of villages in the 10th century B.C. to the capital of the Mediterranean world in the 1st century A.D.

Synonyms

• accretion
• accrual
• addendum
• addition
• augmentation
• boost
• expansion
• gain
• increase
• more
• plus
• proliferation
• raise
• rise
• step-up
• supplement
• uptick

Examples of increment in a Sentence

They increased the dosage of the drug in small increments over a period of several weeks.

Fines increase in increments of $10.

The volume is adjustable in 10 equal increments.

Recent Examples on the Web

Homewood officials have approved a new tax increment financing district that takes in property along the Halsted Street commercial corridor and includes the vacant Walmart property, empty for nearly two years. —Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

While similar to the Kansas proposal, the new legislation would allow Missouri to offer financial assistance for stadium projects through tax increment financing and other mechanisms. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025

However, timing the market perfectly is rarely possible, so consider dollar-cost averaging, which means buying in increments over time to reduce risk. —Gabriel O Rodríguez, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

Details: If approved by Park Board commissioners, the new design would create trails and parkland in Saint Anthony Village, Mid-City Industrial, Como and Prospect Park in increments over the next decade, according to a press release. —Nick Halter, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin incrementum, from increscere to increase

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing increment

• annual increment
• unearned increment

Kids Definition

increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt 

ˈin-

1

: a growth especially in quantity or value : increase

2

a

: something gained or added

b

: one of a series of additions

incremental

ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl

ˌin-

adjective

Medical Definition

increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt, ˈin- 

1

a

: something gained or added

the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytes

—W. A. D. Anderson

b

: one of a series of regular consecutive additions (as of growth or spread of disease)

2

: the amount or degree by which something changes

especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables

incremental

ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl, ˌin- 

adjective

incrementally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb