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 Word Forms

• 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

Campaigner Kerrie, founder of the Shetland Islands' Pride festival, criticised the ruling and said it would set back progress for trans people like her.

From BBC

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that with Kershaw, it’s not about his arm health, but rather how he’s progressing from his toe surgery.

From Los Angeles Times

They noted that Mexico has made progress in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times

In these tough times, as we grapple with saving America itself, it is important to note progress and victories.

From Los Angeles Times

"It still says a lot about Madrid's reputation that it is not something you can take for granted that Arsenal will progress at the Bernabeu."

From BBC

Related Words

• blossom
• boost
• develop
• grow
• mature