Definition of "up-grade" [up-grade]

• An ascending grade. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "They rollicked along on the levels and galloped down the hills, but when they struck an up-grade and felt the weight of the breaking-cart, they stopped and turned around and looked at me."
• "People can make a big difference by contributing to organizations on the ground or pressing their representatives to up-grade U.S. policy."
• ""It can't be done," was Charley Drexel's quick judgment of youth, as the machine stopped and they surveyed the acute-angled turn on the stiff up-grade of Aliso."