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The gradient is a fancy word for derivative, or the rate of change of a function. Itâs a vector (a direction to move) that. 1  Points in the direction of greatest increase of a function (intuition on why)  Is zero at a local maximum or local minimum (because there is no single direction of increase)
gradient - the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal; a five-degree gradient. slope. grade - the gradient of a slope or road or other surface; the road had a steep grade. rake, slant, pitch - degree of deviation from a horizontal plane; the roof had a steep pitch. precipitousness, steepness, abruptness - the property possessed by a slope that is very steep.