An "increment" refers to a small, discrete increase or addition to a quantity. It is commonly used in various fields such as mathematics, programming, and finance to describe a step-by-step growth or change. For example, in programming, an increment might involve increasing a variable's value by a specific amount, often by one. In finance, increments can represent small increases in investment returns or interest rates over time. Understanding increments is essential for tracking progress, making calculations, and analyzing trends in data. This concept helps individuals and organizations measure growth and make informed decisions based on gradual changes.