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
Explanation
If you work for a marketing firm, your job is to promote new products — to publicize them and to try to get the public to buy them. The verb promote can also mean to advance to a higher position. Because of your hard work, your boss might decide to promote you. In school, passing students are promoted each year when they enter a higher grade. In chess, the verb promote is used when a pawn is exchanged for a higher ranking piece. Make sure you promote your pawn to a queen, giving you two queens on the board and a strong advantage in the game.
Vocabulary lists containing promote
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)
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Words for Father's Day: What Fathers Do
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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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.
Pope Leo's visit to Bamenda is seen as a symbolic effort by the Catholic Church to promote peace and reconciliation.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
Today, it is observed globally as a way to promote advancements in the community.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
“We actively promote diversity to change the narrative of what it means to be at Coachella.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
Meanwhile, the U.S.’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz probably means that the U.S. will “attempt to promote safe passage of vessels” by removing mines and providing naval escorts, according to Wizman.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
They wanted to promote equality between the sexes by granting women property rights, access to education, opportunities for employment, and, most importantly, by giving them the right to vote.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
