1. a series of gradual changes or stages in development
2. a slight difference in degree, quality, or intensity between similar things
3. the process of arranging things in grades or steps

Examples

• The gradation from light to dark in the painting created a beautiful effect.
• There was a subtle gradation in the students’ skill levels.
• The mountain showed a clear gradation of vegetation from base to peak.
• The color gradation in the sunset was breathtaking.
• The teacher noticed a gradation in difficulty throughout the textbook.
• The gradation of sizes made it easy to find the right fit.
• Scientists observed a gradation in temperature across the region.