gradient
noun /ˈɡreɪdiənt/
/ˈɡreɪdiənt/
- (also grade especially in North American English)a slope on a road or railway; the degree to which the ground slopes
- The route includes some steep gradients.
- a hill with a gradient of 1 in 4 (or 25 per cent)
Extra ExamplesTopics Transport by bus and trainc1, Transport by car or lorryc1, Geographyc1- The road has a fairly steep gradient.
- The field was on a slight gradient.
- The hill has a gradient of 1 in 4 (or 25%).
- The line here is on a steep gradient climbing towards Merstham Tunnel.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- steep
- gentle
- slight
- …
- have
- on a gradient
- (specialist) the rate at which temperature, pressure, etc. changes, or increases and decreases, between one region and another
Word Originmid 19th cent.: from grade, on the pattern of salient.