Inclination

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Origin

From Middle French inclination, from Latin inclinatio

Full definition of inclination

Noun

1. A physical tilt or bend
• The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
2. A slant or slope
• The road up to the house had a steep inclination.
3. (mental tendency)A mental tendency
• His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.
4. (geometry) The angle of intersection of a reference plane''The astronomer calculated the inclination of the equator or ecliptic of Earth and the orbital planes of each visible heavenly body.Artillery must take account of a weapon's precise inclination.
5. (obsolete) A person or thing loved or admired.

Derived terms

• inclinational

Synonyms

• incline
• inclining
• steepness

Related terms

• inclinable
• inclined plane
• inclinometer