gradient

The amount by which a road or surface rises or falls over a certain distance.

• The road has a steep gradient.
• Cyclists struggled with the gradients on this route.
• Does the railway follow a gentle gradient?

Similar words: slope, incline

Common phrases: steep gradient, gentle gradient, gradient of something

How quickly an amount changes as you move through space or change another value.

• The temperature gradient is small.
• We measured pressure gradients across the pipe.
• A larger concentration gradient makes the particles move faster.

Common phrases: temperature gradient, pressure gradient, concentration gradient

Rising or falling at a steady slope.

• The diagram shows a gradient line.
• The engineer drew a gradient track across the hillside.
• This gradient railway line descends steadily toward the coast.

Similar words: sloping

Common phrases: gradient line, gradient track