gradation

noun

gra·​da·​tion grā-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce gradation (audio)
grə-
1
a
: a series forming successive stages
the gradations of evolutionary development
b
: a step or place in an ordered scale
2
: an advance by regular degrees
gradations of social progress
3
: a gradual passing from one tint or shade to another
4
: the act or process of grading
5
: ablaut
gradational adjective
gradationally adverb

Did you know?

In the Boy Scouts, gradations of rank move upward from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout. A violin or a voice can produce gradations of musical pitch too small to appear in written music. In the 18th century Jonathan Swift could even write of "the several kinds and gradations of laughter, which ladies must daily practice by the looking-glass".

Examples of gradation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Representing the two-hour intervals in which a mother nurses her newborn, the work consists of six nine-by-twelve-inch canvases, each with a single cast breast, in a gradation of blue to yellow. Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2024 No | Safe For: Microwave, freezer, oven, dishwasher (lids top-rack only) Best for Bulk Goods Tiger Chef Commercial Grade Food Storage Containers with Lids View On Amazon $140 What’s Great About It The gradation lines help with cooking and inventory. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2024 Here are the gradations of those gauge boards as the water reached up. John Kinsella, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023 His brushwork was guided not by the workings of discreet blotches of color under relatively even light conditions but by gradations of light and dark. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023 Leaves transition from shades of green to a breathtaking gradation of red, orange and yellow. Tokyo Halfie, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2023 Another key problem is that the movie, though appealingly shot in gradations of dreaminess and realism by cinematographer Alwin H. Küchler, is trapped between character study and avenging thriller, leaving both sides starved for oxygen. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023 If the light mentioned in the title refers to subtle gradations on a spectrum, the light in the limited series is like having somebody activate their iPhone flashlight app in your eyes. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2023 The diverse landscape unveils its ever-changing tapestry of colors, from the delicate pink sakura cherry blossoms in the spring to the vibrant fiery gradation of koyo autumn foliage. Tokyo Halfie, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gradation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see grade entry 1

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gradation was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near gradation

Cite this Entry

“Gradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gradation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gradation

noun
gra·​da·​tion grā-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce gradation (audio)
grə-
1
a
: a series of grades
2
: the act or process of grading
gradational
-shnəl How to pronounce gradation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
gradationally
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on gradation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!