Gradation: meaning, definitions and examples

This is the same word, likely intended to emphasize range of contexts. Use for subtle differences in any gradual transition, including shades, tones, or levels.

• The company's new policy includes a clear gradation of employee benefits based on years of service.
• The landscape architect created a garden with a gradation of plant heights to add depth.

Applicable for describing a forward or onward movement through stages or steps; often used in music, education, and development.

• The chord progression in the song gave it a very catchy melody.
• His rapid progression through the ranks was due to his hard work and dedication.

Often used to describe a specific order of events, steps, or numbers, usually implying a logical or planned arrangement.

• Make sure to follow the sequence of instructions when assembling the furniture.
• The film’s narrative sequence was non-linear, which made it interesting to follow.

Used mainly to describe a series of gradual changes or stages, especially in terms of color, light, or nuance.

• The artist carefully blended the colors to ensure a smooth gradation from dark to light.
• The mountain’s slope showed a clear gradation in vegetation types as altitude increased.

Used to describe a system where people or things are ranked one above the other according to status, authority, or importance.

• The company's hierarchy places the CEO at the top and interns at the bottom.
• In many ancient societies, the hierarchy was strictly maintained and difficult to change.

Often used in military or organizational settings to delineate relative positions or levels, sometimes carries a negative connotation when referring to status among people.

• He was promoted to the rank of captain after years of service.
• The employees were ranked according to their performance in the annual review.

Generally refers to an organized arrangement or sequence, or can imply control and systematic structure in chaotic conditions.

• The library arranges books in alphabetical order by author.
• The police were called in to restore order during the protest.

This term can also be used in linguistics to describe stages or degrees of intensity.

• The phonetic gradation in the pronunciation of certain words can signify different meanings
• The gradation in vocal intensity added depth to the performance

This term is used specifically in linguistics to denote a change in the way a particular word or sound is pronounced over time or in different dialects.

• The pronunciation shift of certain vowels over the centuries can be fascinating to study
• Due to a pronunciation shift, the word ‘schedule’ is said differently in British and American English

Use this term in linguistics to discuss changes that occur to vowels in different grammatical forms, contexts, or dialectical variations.

• In some Germanic languages, vowel modification is a common phenomenon
• Vowel modification in the plural form of some words can alter both the sound and meaning