advancement

/ədˈvænsmənt/

/ædˈvɑnsmɛnt/

Other forms: advancements

Use the noun advancement when you talk about something's growth or progress. The advancement of modern medicine has lengthened many people's lives.

You might describe a society's advancement as a result of new industries and an improved economy. You could also cheer your best friend's advancement in her French class, being moved to a higher level because of her hard work. When you advance, you move forward — either literally or figuratively. Advancement comes from this idea of moving in a positive direction and its Old French root word avancier, "move forward," from the Late Latin abante, "in front."

Definitions of advancement

1. noun

   the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
   synonyms: advance, forward motion, onward motion, procession, progress, progression

   types:

   push

   an effort to advance

   career, life history

   the general progression of your working or professional life

   march

   a steady advance

   clear sailing, easy going, plain sailing

   easy unobstructed progress

   leapfrog

   advancing as if in the child's game, by leaping over obstacles or competitors

   type of:

   motion, move, movement

   the act of changing location from one place to another
2. noun

   gradual improvement or growth or development
   “advancement of knowledge”

   synonyms: progress

   types:

   forwarding, furtherance, promotion

   the advancement of some enterprise

   stride

   significant progress (especially in the phrase "make strides")

   work flow, workflow

   progress (or rate of progress) in work being done

   inroad

   (usually plural) progress or advancement, as toward a goal

   type of:

   development

   the act of improving by expanding, enlarging, or refining
3. noun

   encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
   synonyms: furtherance, promotion

   type of:

   encouragement

   the expression of approval and support