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progression

/prəˈgrɛʃɪn/
/prəˈgrɛʃən/
IPA guide

Other forms: progressions

A progression is a series that advances in a logical and predictable pattern. In mathematics, for example, the series 2, 4, 6, 8 is an arithmetic progression. If asked to give the next number, most people would reply 10.

A movement forward, especially one that advances toward some achievement, is called a progression. When you get your learner's permit, it's a step in the natural progression from child to responsible adult — although you may see it as part of your progression toward freedom. The progression from permit to driver's license includes a few more steps, like highway driving and learning how to parallel park your dad's enormous car.

Definitions of progression
  1. noun
    the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
    see moresee less
    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
    a movement forward
    synonyms: advance, progress
    see moresee less
    types:
    head, headway
    forward movement
    type of:
    change of location, travel
    a movement through space that changes the location of something
  3. noun
    a series with a definite pattern of advance
    synonyms: patterned advance
    see moresee less
    types:
    arithmetic progression, arithmetic sequence
    (mathematics) an order in which the difference between consecutive terms is a constant value
    geometric progression
    (mathematics) a progression in which each term is multiplied by a constant in order to obtain the next term
    harmonic progression
    (mathematics) a progression of terms whose reciprocals form an arithmetic progression
    type of:
    series
    similar things placed in order or happening one after another
Pronunciation
US
/prəˈgrɛʃɪn/
UK
/prəˈgrɛʃən/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘progression'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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