advancement

American  

[ad-vans-muhnt, -vahns-] / ædˈvæns mənt, -ˈvɑns- /

noun

1. the act or process of moving forward.

   They hoped that destroying bridges around the metropolis would slow the advancement of enemy troops.

2. promotion in rank or standing; preferment.

   She had high hopes for advancement in the company.

3. 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.

4. an achievement or result contributing to progress in a consequential area of knowledge, technology, or practice.

   Advancements in robotics will transform industry.

5. 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.

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advancement British  

/ ədˈvɑːnsmənt /

noun

1. promotion in rank, status, etc; preferment

2. a less common word for advance advance

3. property law the use during a testator's lifetime of money or property for the benefit of a child or other person who is a prospective beneficiary in the testator's will

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Other Word Forms

• nonadvancement noun
• self-advancement noun

Etymology

Origin of advancement

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English avauncement, from Anglo-French, Old French avancement; 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."

Example Sentences

Job security is also now a bigger priority than career advancement when evaluating a job offer, although salary remains the top factor, the survey found.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The basic idea is these computers are now advancing technology and processing time and speed at an arc that is not commensurate with the arc of technological advancement over the past 100 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Just as in previous cycles of technological advancement, we are entering a period of volatility.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

What the latest plan would achieve, though, is advancement, a leap from the chamber’s present logjams to new ones.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

Being in the barracks put Madame on her best behavior, for she knew how important the charm of an officer’s wife could be to securing his advancement!

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• advance
• growth
• improvement
• upgrading