gra
dient
Plural
gradients
1
the rate at which a quantity or dimension changes over a given distance or interval
- The gradient of the river’s flow affects its speed.
- A high gradient in the data indicates rapid change.
- The slope of the curve represents the gradient of the function.
- She calculated the gradient of the soil to design better drainage.
- The gradient of the city's elevation was marked on the map.
2
the degree of the angle between the ground and the sloping line, road, etc.
A gradient refers to the degree of incline or slope of a road, path, or surface. It is the measure of how steep or gentle a slope is, often expressed as a percentage or ratio. A higher gradient indicates a steeper slope, while a lower gradient means a gentler incline. Gradients are important for understanding how challenging a road or path may be for travel, especially for vehicles, cyclists, or hikers. Steeper gradients can require more effort to ascend and can affect the control and safety of movement.
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