progress

[ noun prog-res, -ruhsor, especially British, proh-gres; verb pruh-gres ]

noun

1. a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage:

   the progress of a student toward a degree.

   Synonyms: progression, advance

   Antonyms: regression

2. developmental activity in science, technology, etc., especially with reference to the commercial opportunities created thereby or to the promotion of the material well-being of the public through the goods, techniques, or facilities created.
3. advancement in general.
4. growth or development; continuous improvement:

   He shows progress in his muscular coordination.

   Synonyms: betterment, increase

5. the development of an individual or society in a direction considered more beneficial than and superior to the previous level.
6. Biology. increasing differentiation and perfection in the course of ontogeny or phylogeny.
7. forward or onward movement:

   the progress of the planets.

8. the forward course of action, events, time, etc.
9. an official journey or tour, as by a sovereign or dignitary.

verb (used without object)

1. to go forward or onward in space or time:

   The wagon train progressed through the valley. As the play progressed, the leading man grew more inaudible.

2. to grow or develop, as in complexity, scope, or severity; advance:

   Are you progressing in your piano studies? The disease progressed slowly.

   Synonyms: increase, grow, improve, develop, proceed

   Antonyms: regress

progress

noun

1. movement forwards, esp towards a place or objective
2. satisfactory development, growth, or advance

   she is making progress in maths

3. advance towards completion, maturity, or perfection

   the steady onward march of progress

4. modifier of or relating to progress

   a progress report

5. biology increasing complexity, adaptation, etc, during the development of an individual or evolution of a group
6. a stately royal journey
7. in progress
   taking place; under way

verb

1. intr to move forwards or onwards, as towards a place or objective
2. to move towards or bring nearer to completion, maturity, or perfection

Other Words From

• unpro·gressed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of progress¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English progresse (noun), from Latin prōgressus “a going forward,” equivalent to prōgred-, stem of prōgredī “to advance” ( prō- “advancing, projecting forward” + -gredī, combining form of gradī “to step”; pro- ¹, grade ) + -tus suffix of verb action

Word History and Origins

Origin of progress¹

C15: from Latin prōgressus a going forwards, from prōgredī to advance, from pro- ¹+ gradī to step

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in progress, going on; under way; being done; happening:

   The meeting was already in progress.

More idioms and phrases containing progress

see in progress .

Example Sentences

The latest homeless count did show some long-awaited progress: The number of unsheltered homeless people — those who live outside instead of in a shelter or other temporary housing— dropped 5% in the county and 10% in the city.

From Los Angeles Times

But they will probably expect measurable progress in the near future, especially given that this is the second tax measure county voters have passed for the purpose.

From Los Angeles Times

“This was a pivotal and successful year for The Walt Disney Co., and thanks to the significant progress we’ve made, we have emerged from a period of considerable challenges and disruption well positioned for growth and optimistic about our future,” Chief Executive Bob Iger said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

There may be problems and progress in the places we live, but reality is happening on our phones.

From Slate

The discovery was announced at the same time as the UN climate talks COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan that are trying to make progress in tackling climate change.

From BBC

Related Words

• blossom
• boost
• develop
• grow
• mature