increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt How to pronounce increment (audio)
ˈin-
1
: the amount or degree by which something changes
especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables
2
a
: one of a series of regular consecutive additions
b
: a minute increase in quantity
c
: something gained or added
3
: the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value : enlargement

Did you know?

Increment is used in many technical fields, but also nontechnically. Incremental increases in drug dosages are used for experimental purposes. Incremental tax increases are easier to swallow than sudden large increases. Incremental changes of any kind may be hard to notice, but can be very significant in the long run. Rome wasn't built in a day, but was instead built up by increments from a couple of villages in the 10th century B.C. to the capital of the Mediterranean world in the 1st century A.D.

Examples of increment in a Sentence

They increased the dosage of the drug in small increments over a period of several weeks. Fines increase in increments of $10. The volume is adjustable in 10 equal increments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both spa-like features can be used separately or together and in 10-, 20-, or 30-minute increments. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 22 May 2025 To finance the town hall/fire station project, Chesterton expanded its tax increment financing (TIF) district so that a portion of the property tax receipts can be used to pay off a bond for the $4 million project. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025 To fast forward or rewind in small increments, briefly tilt the Toniebox to the left or to the right. Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025 Uber’s pass option comes in bundles of 5, 10, 15 and 20-ride increments, with corresponding discounts between 5% and 20%. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for increment

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin incrementum, from increscere to increase

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of increment was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Increment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/increment. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt How to pronounce increment (audio)
ˈin-
1
: a growth especially in quantity or value : increase
2
a
: something gained or added
b
: one of a series of additions
incremental
ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl
ˌin-
adjective

Medical Definition

increment

noun
in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt, ˈin- How to pronounce increment (audio)
1
a
: something gained or added
the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytesW. A. D. Anderson
b
: one of a series of regular consecutive additions (as of growth or spread of disease)
2
: the amount or degree by which something changes
especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables
incremental adjective
incrementally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on increment

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!