progress

1 of 2

noun

prog·​ress ˈprä-grəs 

-ˌgres,

 US also and British usually  ˈprō-ˌgres

1

a(1)

: a royal journey marked by pomp and pageant

(2)

: a state procession

b

: a tour or circuit made by an official (such as a judge)

c

: an expedition, journey, or march through a region

2

: a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal) : advance

3

: gradual betterment

especially : the progressive development of humankind

progress

2 of 2

verb

pro·​gress prə-ˈgres 

progressed; progressing; progresses

intransitive verb

1

: to move forward : proceed

2

: to develop to a higher, better, or more advanced stage

Phrases

in progress

: going on : occurring

Synonyms

Noun

• advance
• advancement
• furtherance
• going
• headway
• march
• onrush
• passage
• process
• procession
• progression

Verb

• age
• develop
• grow
• grow up
• mature
• ripen

Examples of progress in a Sentence

Noun

the rapid progress of the ship

He made slow progress down the steep cliff.

The project showed slow but steady progress.

Verb

The project has been progressing slowly.

The work is progressing and should be completed soon.

The caravan progressed slowly across the desert.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jean-Paul Sartre once said that being human is making the idea of humanity progress. —Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Save 20% for a new car or 10% for a used one, but don’t ignore other dreams—small contributions keep progress alive. —Natalie Campisi, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

Highlighting such differences is critical as the industry progresses toward an equitable ecosystem. —Eron Kelly, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

As the show progresses toward the season finale, Skelton tells us later, the MacKenzie family’s multi-timeline drama comes more to the fore. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French progrés, from Latin progressus advance, from progredi to go forth, from pro- forward + gradi to go — more at pro-, grade entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing progress

• make progress
• progress report
• work in progress

Kids Definition

progress

1 of 2 noun

prog·​ress ˈpräg-rəs 

-ˌres,

 chiefly British  ˈprō-ˌgres

1

: a moving toward a goal

the progress of a ship

2

: gradual improvement or advancement

the progress of science

progress

2 of 2 verb

pro·​gress prə-ˈgres 

1

: to move forward : advance, proceed

the story progressed

how is the experiment progressing?

2

: to move toward a higher, better, or more advanced stage