Taper
A gradual shortening of hair towards the neckline and sideburns, gentler and lower than a fade.
Also: taper cut
A taper is a cut in which the hair gets shorter towards the edges, usually just at the sideburns and the nape, while the rest of the sides keep some length. The difference from a fade is mostly one of degree: a taper usually leaves some hair at the bottom and blends over a small area, while a fade may go to skin and climb higher. A classic taper grows out neatly, which is why it is a common business cut.