gradation

noun

gra·​da·​tion grā-ˈdā-shən 

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

grā-ˈdā-sh(ə-)nəl 

grə-

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

But nanosheets give designers the option of gradations in between those, such as the equivalent of 1.5 fins or whatever might suit a particular logic circuit better. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Dec. 2024

Then there are all the gradations and variations among the more than 1 billion people who have learned English as a second (or third or fourth) language very recently indeed. Where AI promises magic, the most pressing need is for basic research, driven by communities. —Ross Perlin, The Dial, 14 Nov. 2024

The dial’s striped center features vertically contrasting color gradations of silver, azure, green and blue. —Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024

Film festivals can often be pompous affairs, full of endless gatekeeping, infinite gradations of status, and extremely specific dress codes. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see grade entry 1

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gradation

noun

gra·​da·​tion grā-ˈdā-shən 

grə-

1

a

: a series of grades

b

: grade entry 2 sense 2

2

: the act or process of grading

gradational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

gradationally

-ē

adverb