promote
Americanverb (used with object)
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to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further.
to promote world peace.
- Antonyms:
- obstruct, discourage
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to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. (demote ).
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Education. to put ahead to the next higher stage or grade of a course or series of classes.
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to aid in organizing (business undertakings).
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to encourage the sales, acceptance, etc., of (a product), especially through advertising or other publicity.
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Informal. to obtain (something) by cunning or trickery; wangle.
verb
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to further or encourage the progress or existence of
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to raise to a higher rank, status, degree, etc
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to advance (a pupil or student) to a higher course, class, etc
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to urge the adoption of; work for
to promote reform
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to encourage the sale of (a product) by advertising or securing financial support
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chess to exchange (a pawn) for any piece other than a king when the pawn reaches the 8th rank
Other Word Forms
- prepromote verb (used with object)
- promotability noun
- promotable adjective
- promotion noun
- promotional adjective
- self-promoting adjective
- unpromotable adjective
- unpromoted adjective
Etymology
Origin of promote
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English promoten, from Latin prōmōtus, past participle of prōmovēre “to move forward, advance”; pro- 1, motive
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.
By turning on the same signaling pathway, it can promote bone formation and limit bone breakdown.
From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026
In a statement issued late Monday, Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic which helps promote the event, urged West's critics to show him "some forgiveness".
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
While many users promote the health and mental benefits of sauna use, the science behind this is nuanced.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
In an effort to promote the game of golf, many courses encourage new and rookie golfers onto the course.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
“Except, of course, everything you’ve done to promote the shop. You’ve shown quite the talent for this work.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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.
