n.
Pronunciation: gr ā - ' d ā -sh ə n, gr ə -
Function: noun
Date: 1549
1 a : a series forming successive stages b : a step or place in an ordered scale
2 : an advance by regular degrees
3 : a gradual passing from one tint or shade to another
4 : the act or process of grading
5 : ABLAUT
– gra · da · tion · al \ -shn ə l, -sh ə -n ə l \ adjective
– gra · da · tion · al · ly adverb