increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt How to pronounce increment (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These votes usually make up the majority of the total vote, with Election Day votes released in 45-minute increments until they are all counted. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Fox, which had booked all but a handful of its in-game units two months ago, commanded rates north of $7 million for each 30-second increment of commercial time. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024 To ease the transition for toddlers, pediatricians advise adjusting their bedtime by 15 minute increments. Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 As for circulatory diseases, every 30-minute increment over two hours of daily standing was associated with a higher risk. Cathy Nelson, Health, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for increment 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of increment was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near increment

Cite this Entry

“Increment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/increment. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt How to pronounce increment (audio)
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- How to pronounce increment (audio)
1
a
: something gained or added
the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytesW. 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 adjective
incrementally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on increment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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