DECREMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does decrement mean? 

• DECREMENT (noun)
  The noun DECREMENT has 2 senses:

1. the amount by which something decreases

2. a process of becoming smaller or shorter

  Familiarity information: DECREMENT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DECREMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The amount by which something decreases

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

decrease; decrement

Hypernyms ("decrement" is a kind of...):

amount (the relative magnitude of something with reference to a criterion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "decrement"):

dip; drop; fall; free fall (a sudden sharp decrease in some quantity)

shrinkage (the amount by which something shrinks)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A process of becoming smaller or shorter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

decrease; decrement

Hypernyms ("decrement" is a kind of...):

physical process; process (a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "decrement"):

decay; decline (a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current)

decline; diminution (change toward something smaller or lower)

desensitisation; desensitization (the process of reducing sensitivity)

narrowing (a decrease in width)

slippage (a decrease of transmitted power in a mechanical system caused by slipping)

wastage (the process of wasting)

Antonym:

increment (a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important)