progress
a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage: the progress of a student toward a degree.
developmental activity in science, technology, etc., especially with reference to the commercial opportunities created thereby or to the promotion of the material well-being of the public through the goods, techniques, or facilities created.
advancement in general.
growth or development; continuous improvement: He shows progress in his muscular coordination.
the development of an individual or society in a direction considered more beneficial than and superior to the previous level.
Biology. increasing differentiation and perfection in the course of ontogeny or phylogeny.
forward or onward movement: the progress of the planets.
the forward course of action, events, time, etc.
an official journey or tour, as by a sovereign or dignitary.
to go forward or onward in space or time: The wagon train progressed through the valley. As the play progressed, the leading man grew more inaudible.
to grow or develop, as in complexity, scope, or severity; advance: Are you progressing in your piano studies? The disease progressed slowly.
Idioms about progress
in progress, going on; under way; being done; happening: The meeting was already in progress.
Origin of progress
1word story For progress
The verb progress entered English in the second half of the 16th century in a functional shift of the noun to a verb (a functional shift, also called functional change, is a change in the grammatical function of a word, such as the noun fun having taken on adjective meanings).
In the 18th century, the verb progress was no longer common in Britain, but was used with regularity in the United States (George Washington, in a letter of 1791 writes, “The business of laying out the city [the new capital] is progressing.”) When the verb reentered British usage about 1800, it was regarded as an Americanism.
From its first appearance in English, the noun had the meaning “onward movement in space,” as well as the figurative sense “advancement to a further or higher stage”; from this developed the more specific reference to social and economic reform leading to a better state or condition.
Other words for progress
Opposites for progress
Other words from progress
- un·pro·gressed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use progress in a sentence
Justice Ginsburg underwent this procedure successfully and is progressing with her recovery.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Risky Heart Surgery | Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe other stuff is all progressing: we started the script on Dark Universe, doing a new draft on Haunted Mansion.
Guillermo del Toro on Hardcore Gothic ‘Crimson Peak’ and ‘Pacific Rim 2’ | Andrew Romano | July 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 2012, Intel began producing microprocessors with conflict-free tantalum, a sign that conflict-free efforts were progressing.
So now we're apparently back to saying, contra the Obama administration, that Iran's program is still progressing.
Head of D.C. Pro-Israel Think Tank Misrepresents Geneva Deal | Ali Gharib | November 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBut there is also an undeniably insidious component to Akka's progressing recomposition: Israeli institutions favor Jews.
'It's Better To Jump' Tackles Gentrification in Akka | Matt Lerner | November 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Usually he looked in a little after midnight to see that the evening edition of the paper was progressing all right.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. WhiteParts of important public buildings have been disclosed by the excavations, which are still progressing.
The Towns of Roman Britain | James Oliver BevanDorcas, the way the child is progressing, I shall be out of my job before longshell have the whole post in her hands.
A Horse's Tale | Mark TwainThe firing on our left was now very heavy and Colonel Field directed me to learn how the fight there was progressing.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh PendexterCaptain Foster soon returned, having satisfied himself that work with the escort wagons was progressing rapidly.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants | H. Irving Hancock
British Dictionary definitions for progress
movement forwards, esp towards a place or objective
satisfactory development, growth, or advance: she is making progress in maths
advance towards completion, maturity, or perfection: the steady onward march of progress
(modifier) of or relating to progress: a progress report
biology increasing complexity, adaptation, etc, during the development of an individual or evolution of a group
British a stately royal journey
in progress taking place; under way
(intr) to move forwards or onwards, as towards a place or objective
to move towards or bring nearer to completion, maturity, or perfection
Origin of progress
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with progress
see in progress.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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