promotion

American  

[pruh-moh-shuhn] / prəˈmoʊ ʃən /

noun

• promotions
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• promotions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

promotion promotions

Product mix fell 4.2% due to increased promotion activity, a shift in menu mix towards wraps and the removal of ripple fries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Starbucks Korea had in May launched a coffee tumbler promotion called "Tank Day" on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, where hundreds were believed to have been killed by military forces.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

Starbucks Korea caused an uproar this year when it launched a "Tank Day" promotion on May 18, touting a new line of capacious tumblers for its coffee beverages.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

Funk’s involvement in wrestling also expanded into promotion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

It might be an issue when it came time for a promotion.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

The company attributed the decline to customer-friendly sport outcomes and increased investment in promotions to acquire customers for its sportsbook and predictions offerings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

News of the food-safety scare might make consumers steer clear of Chipotle restaurants temporarily, and the chain might have to run promotions to get them back, the analysts said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

DraftKings’ second-quarter revenue fell, as sports bettors won their wagers and the company offered promotions to attract new customers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Disney noted that Walt Disney World in Florida had a “standout” quarter with “healthy core attendance increases” from domestic visitors and annual passholders, as well as summer promotions and new experiences that helped fuel interest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

Dorothy wielded her influence to win promotions for both Katherine and her white colleague.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly