Definition of gradient

• a. - Moving by steps; walking; as, gradient automata.
• a. - Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination; as, the gradient line of a railroad.
• a. - Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.
• n. - The rate of regular or graded ascent or descent in a road; grade.
• n. - A part of a road which slopes upward or downward; a portion of a way not level; a grade.
• n. - The rate of increase or decrease of a variable magnitude, or the curve which represents it; as, a thermometric gradient.