increment

American  

[in-kruh-muhnt, ing-] / ˈɪn krə mənt, ˈɪŋ- /

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.

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increment British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• incremental
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of increment

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin incrēmentum an increase, equivalent to incrē ( scere ) to grow ( see increase) + -mentum -ment

Explanation

Consider expanding your vocabulary by a small increment, or increase, each day. Increasing your vocabulary by an increment of just two words a day means you’ll learn more than 700 new words a year! Increment is often used in the context of a series of regular increases, so this word comes in handy whenever you’re expanding or improving something over time. Maybe you contribute to your bank account in modest increments each week. Or, when working out at the gym, perhaps you increase the number of sit-ups you do by a small increment each day.

Example Sentences

Called Increment 3.2B, the upgrade includes AIM-120D and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles and brings improved surface strike technology.

From Fox News • Jun. 1, 2020

“Air Combat Command authorized the release and fielding of the F-22 Update 6 Operational Flight Program for incorporation into Increment 3.2B,” a statement from F-22-maker Lockheed Martin read.

From Fox News • Jun. 1, 2020

The judge issued an injunction preventing the Army from proceeding with Increment 2 until it “properly and sincerely” complies with the law’s market research obligation.

From Washington Times • Nov. 17, 2016

We’re dedicating resources, through Tax Increment Financing plans, to improvements throughout the city, notably Downtown with the hotel project and medical school and along North Main with the recently approved streetscape project.

From Washington Times • Mar. 8, 2016

Increment, Unearned, an expression denoting increase in the value of landed property due to increased demand and without any expenditure on the part of the proprietor.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin