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increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment | \ ˈiÅ‹-krÉ™-mÉ™nt How to pronounce increment (audio) , ˈin-\

Definition of increment

1 : the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value : enlargement
2a : something gained or added
b : one of a series of regular consecutive additions
c : a minute increase in quantity
3 : 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
Other Words from increment Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about increment

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Each member has $500 to wager on NFL teams at their current Future Super Bowl Odds from BetMGM, bets need to be made in increments of $100. — Sportsbookwire Staff, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Super Bowl LIV - NFL Future Bets: Staff picks and best bets," 5 Sep. 2019 The quintessential company town, named after an indigenous mineral, sprang up in increments of large plants and modest homes. — Los Angeles Times, "Trona High’s once-mighty Sandmen fight to keep football alive in wake of earthquakes," 28 Aug. 2019 Effective immediately, Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred directly to Emirates Skywards' frequent flier program in increments of 1,000 points. — Louis Cheslaw, Condé Nast Traveler, "Emirates Added to Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners," 26 Aug. 2019 To pay for these benefits, the Social Security 2100 Act gradually raises the payroll-tax rate from 12.4 percent to 14.8 percent in annual increments of 0.1 points. — Andrew G. Biggs, National Review, "How the Democrats’ Social Security Plan Could Finance a Tax Cut," 15 Aug. 2019 The meters currently measure water usage in increments of 100 cubic feet, which equals 748 gallons. — Robin Goist, cleveland.com, "Akron to replace water meters, improve billing system," 29 July 2019 The city of Birmingham has promised $3.5 million to be paid in seven increments of $500,000 until March 2021. — Anna Beahm | Abeahm@al.com, al.com, "21 things you need to know about the 2021 World Games in Birmingham," 21 July 2019 Wheatley said the governor did not solicit political contributions during the legislative session, yet still the money continued to roll in as lawmakers met in Salem, in increments of $10 as well as $5,000 and $10,000. — Hillary Borrud | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "Gov. Kate Brown, who can’t seek re-election in 2022, keeps raising and spending campaign cash anyway," 14 Jan. 2019 Aristotle argued that a life ought not to be measured in small increments but viewed from a long perspective. — Bina Venkataraman, Time, "How Your Obsession With Short-Term Results Can Hurt You in the Long Run," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'increment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of increment

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for increment

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

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More Definitions for increment

increment

noun
How to pronounce increment (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of increment

: a usually small amount or degree by which something is made larger or greater

See the full definition for increment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment | \ ˈiÅ‹-krÉ™-mÉ™nt, ˈin- How to pronounce increment (audio) \

Medical Definition of increment

1a : 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

Other Words from increment

incremental \ ËŒiÅ‹-​krÉ™-​ˈment-​ᵊl, ËŒin-​ How to pronounce incremental (audio) \ adjective
incrementally \ -​ᵊl-​Ä“

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