progression

noun

pro·​gres·​sion prə-ˈgre-shən 

1

: a sequence of numbers in which each term is related to its predecessor by a uniform law

2

a

: the action or process of progressing : advance

b

: a continuous and connected series : sequence

3

a

: succession of musical tones or chords

b

: the movement of musical parts in harmony

c

: sequence sense 2c

progressional

prə-ˈgresh-nəl 

-ˈgre-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• catena
• catenation
• chain
• concatenation
• consecution
• nexus
• sequence
• string
• train

Examples of progression in a Sentence

Doctors were surprised by the rapid progression of the disease.

the natural progression of his musical talent

Recent Examples on the Web

By creating a non-resolving chord progression that seemingly never ends. —Nate Sloan, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Any activity that increases heart rate can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, the experts agreed. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024

The few downsides are the movie's slow progression mixed with very limited action that comes in the form of some minor blood spillage – leading me to question the R rating. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024

Career progression serves as a powerful affirmation of one’s competence and performance. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing progression

• arithmetic progression
• geometric progression
• harmonic progression

Kids Definition

progression

noun

pro·​gres·​sion prə-ˈgresh-ən 

1

: the action of progressing or moving forward

2

: a continuous and connected series (as of acts, events, or steps)

3

: a changing from one chord to another by means of several notes or chords coming one after the other