advancement
Americannoun
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the act or process of moving forward.
They hoped that destroying bridges around the metropolis would slow the advancement of enemy troops.
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promotion in rank or standing; preferment.
She had high hopes for advancement in the company.
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development toward increased understanding, quality, utility, or benefit to human welfare in a consequential area of knowledge, technology, or practice.
She toiled in the lab out of personal ambition, not for the advancement of medical science.
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an achievement or result contributing to progress in a consequential area of knowledge, technology, or practice.
Advancements in robotics will transform industry.
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Law. money or property given by one person during their lifetime to another that is considered an anticipation of an inheritance and is therefore to be deducted from any share that the recipient may have in a donor's estate.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of advancement
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English avauncement, from Anglo-French, Old French avancement; see advance, -ment
Explanation
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."
Vocabulary lists containing advancement
The Mayflower Compact (1620)
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 9
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Lesson 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"So really it's a misunderstood hotbed of feminist advancement - because it disguised its purposes so carefully."
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
It may not accelerate your climb up the corporate ladder, but, if advancement is no longer your goal, that may be exactly the point.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
As this “POV” entry tells us, it was more likely the advancement of pregnancy screenings, selective termination and even abandonment that led to the currently lopsided state of love.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
It’s no longer possible to talk about the advancement of tech apart from the consideration of who benefits from it — and how much of that benefit comes at the expense of others.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
I told him that maybe, just maybe, my brain actually was more superior than his and that my colors are an advancement in evolution.
From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass
The boss of SpaceX told The Economist, external while he remains concerned about risks posed by advancements in AI and robotics, "the most likely outcome is incredible abundance for all".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
The statement highlights some of the anxiety surrounding the latest advancements in technology as some of the world’s largest companies race to compete with China and other countries to dominate the AI race.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Their advocacy and research has led to advancements in female healthcare.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The CIA director accused US adversaries of seeking to "to steal and to manipulate America's advancements for their own ends and gains," touting the agency's embrace of US technology.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
“A seemingly impossible dream,” Marla’s voice says, “only if you haven’t seen the latest advancements in running prostheses.”
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
