promotion

American  

[pruh-moh-shuhn] / prəˈmoʊ ʃən /

noun

1. advancement in rank or position.

2. furtherance or encouragement.

3. the act of promoting.

4. the state of being promoted.

5. something devised to publicize or advertise a product, cause, institution, etc., as a brochure, free sample, poster, television or radio commercial, or personal appearance.

6. Also called queening.  Chess. the replacement of a pawn that has reached the enemy's first rank by a more powerful piece of the same color, usually a queen.

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Other Word Forms

• nonpromotion noun
• prepromotion noun
• promotional adjective
• self-promotion noun
• unpromotional adjective

Etymology

Origin of promotion

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin prōmōtiōn-, stem of prōmōtiō “movement forward, advancement”; equivalent to promote + -ion

Explanation

A promotion is a raise in pay or stature, or it's a way to raise the profile or attention of something. If you create an advertising promotion that increases sales of spray jeans in a can, for example, you might get a promotion to company vice-president. Words that start with pro- usually hint at something positive or forward moving, and a promotion is a moving up or a motion forward. A product promotion pushes the item out in front so it gets more exposure, and a work or school promotion raises your salary or moves you up a grade. If you’re in the military a promotion means a higher rank, with more people under your command, and the same happens if you earn a promotion in a club or organization like the scouts.

Example Sentences

Before his promotion, Velasco oversaw relations with the United States and Canada as the ministry’s chief for North America.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Among those is Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, and is rumored to be in line for a promotion to one of the department’s top jobs.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

Before his promotion last year, Bignell had been vice president in charge of men’s performance footwear for about five years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

A promotion to triple-A Spokane came in 1970.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“Let your spirit ask Chukwu to hasten my promotion to senior lecturer, that is all I ask,” Aunty Ifeoma said.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie