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A "gravel bike" is just a ridgid XC bike with several different hand positions, or the next evolution in "endurance road bike" design philosophy. Drop bars on gravel bikes are intended more for comfort than for aero like road drop bars. A "gravel bike" can be a slacker, taller road bike with more tire clearance, or a steeper, shorter XC bike with less tire clearance. Some might say that a bicycle can only be considered a "gravel bike" if it has drop bars, but many "gravel cyclists" have replaced their drop bars with a veriety of "alt-bars" in efforts to improve comfort, control, and leverage. At this point "gravel biking" has become a meaningless catch all term. I would say "gravel biking" is almost a meme, but not quite.
